SNP claims UK immigration points-based system is unfair
September 15 2009 by Matt Jones
Mike Russell on UK immigration
The Scottish National Party has spoken out against the points-based UK visa system, claiming it splits families apart.
MSPs have been prompted to request that the UK immigration laws are relaxed for people working in the UK in certain industries where their pay varies from year to year.
The prompt has come in the form of a case involving US playwright and novelist Thomas Legendre who moved to the UK, making Edinburgh his home, eight years ago. He lives with his wife and two children. The family have so far been able to stay living in the UK under the Fresh Talent initiative.
However, Legendre has recently been refused residency on the grounds that he has not earned the required £32,000 in the designated 15-month period, prior to his application. This new restriction was introduced under the UK points-based system earlier this year. The restriction rules that people living in the UK must ‘earn’ their residency by proving they can support themselves and their families.
Legendre is now faced with deportation, and must decide whether to take his family with him or be separated from them.
Culture minister Mike Russell stated, “there have been a number of recent decisions by the UK Border Agency which demonstrate that the UK-wide immigration system does not always work in Scotland's best interests.”
Members of the Scottish Parliament are calling for more flexibility for artists and writers whose earnings are rarely regular.
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