Civil Partnership Act Reunites Same-Sex Couples

When two Filipina same sex partners wanted to be together in the UK they did not realise that the new Civil Partnership ACT would help change their lives.

Anna first met Jennifer in August 2001, whilst working as a Nurse in Saudia Arabia. When she later transferred to London, Jennifer was unable to follow and [...]

Look Before You Leap… Changing Jobs as a Work Permit holder can be full of Pitfalls

You know how it goes. A friend calls you and tells you there is a vacancy in their nursing home, so you attend an interview on your day off. They seem very nice and the pay is a little higher. The home manager assures you she will take care of the work permit.

What more [...]

Regine, Ogie and Ai Ai Perform in London

Filipino stars Regine Velasques, Ogie Alcasid and Ai-Ai delas Alas held a press conference today at London’s Langham Hotel to promote their hit musical comedy show “Forever After”.
The show or “fantaconcierto” will be performed at London’s Wembley Arena this Sunday August 27th at 7pm.
“Forever After”, a magical love story, has finally reached the UK after [...]

The Care Industry Still Needs Foreign Workers

As Home Secretary John Reid ponders over whether or not to admit thousands of Romanian and Bulgarian workers next year, we ask what the Government is doing to help the private care sector to solve continuing staff shortages.

Last week, in a reaction to mounting public anxiety over immigration, Mr Reid has effectively called for [...]

London Security Level Reduced… but not all countries are following the UK System.

he Airport security alert in London has been reduced from “Critical” to “Severe” bringing relief to the many thousands of passengers traveling from UK airports each day.

The Home Office made the move because it had decided a terrorist attack was still “highly likely” but no longer “imminent,” according to the BBC.

Hand luggage restrictions, although [...]

John Reid calls for Limits on Immigration… but are his fears unfounded?

John Reid, the Home Secretary, in a reaction to mounting public anxiety over immigration has effectively called for official limits on the numbers coming into Britain. He hinted that a new body could be set up to advise the government on “optimum levels of immigration” consistent with the country’s economic needs and “social stability”.

The Home [...]

British Diplomat gets 3 Years for Visa Fraud

A married British diplomat, Sharad Ladva, has been sentenced to 3 years prison for faking visas whilst at Britain’s Manila Embassy.

He used bogus paperwork to obtain a UK visa for his Filipino girlfriend, and then set her up in a London love nest, Southwark Crown Court had been told. Over a 10-month period [...]

Government to Get Tough on Employers

Government to get tough
on Directors employing
illegal immigrants

The new Home Secretary John Reid has announced measures to penalise company directors employing illegal immigrants.
The controversial “two strikes and you’re out” proposal in which directors would be struck off if their firms were found to be breaching immigration rules on two separate occasions, is the brainchild of [...]

Welcome to the UK… but be Careful

Last Saturday I joined a hundred or so UK bound students at a pre-departure briefing seminar in Manila. The four hour programme, organised by the British Council, was packed with helpful information on British culture, student life, cost of living, part-time working, and getting around the UK.
The 300 Peso (around £3.00) entrance fee was well [...]