The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has taken ‘tough new enforcement action’ to stop ‘abuse’ of the student visa system by effectively preventing over 450 education providers from sponsoring new international students…Many private college owners have decided that ‘enough is enough’ following stringent new Tier 4 visa rules, implemented on 4 July, which basically means that any new international students studying at a private college (as opposed to a government publicly funded institution) can no longer work or sponsor dependants. The new rules do not affect Bulgarians and Romanians coming to the UK on Yellow Card registration permits to work and study on vocational courses such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care.
Britain’s economy is growing faster than expected, new figures have revealed, a sign that a feared double-dip recession will be averted.
The care industry already desperately short of qualified care workers and with government curbs on Tier 2 working visas and Tier 4 student visas managers are increasing turning to EU migrants, especially from keen new EU workers from Bulgaria and Romania. Although Bulgarian and Romanian citizens do not enjoy full free movement rights to work in the UK they can obtain Yellow Card permits to work full time as part of a vocational study programme such as NVQ or QCF courses in Health and Social Care.
This week the UKBA has announced the creation of a new initial list of international banks and financial institutions which will be used when considering points under a Tier 4 student visa application. The blacklist will be used when verifying maintenance funds under Tier 4 of the points-based system. A student visa applicant will receive no points for maintenance if they submit documents showing that the funds are held in a financial institution on the list. Thousands of international students have arrived in the UK with little or no money, despite presenting ‘proof’ of funds to entry clearance officers at their local British Embassy. Many have failed to pay fees on arrival or keep up with monthly payment plans. Some colleges are having to resort to legal action through the county courts to recover debts owed by non-paying students. Tier 4 General application forms now ask a lot more questions about criminal and civil offences, good character, benefit claims…
Stephen Glover for the Daily Mail criticizes a leftwing foundation for urging the old to give up their homes for younger people.
The UK has decided not to implement two asylum directives of the European Union as part of its moves to be tough on immigration and asylum seekers…
Health tourist visitors who do not pay their debts for NHS treatment will soon be denied permission to enter or stay in the UK
The National Minimum Wage rises to £6.08 per hour from 1 October 2011, but not all workers receive it…Non-EU illegal workers are in an even worse position being unable to complain for fear of losing their jobs. At least Bulgarians and Romanians have other options such as a study work yellow card and a vocational course which allows full time hours.
The University of Wales is to stop validating courses at all other institutions in the UK and abroad following a BBC investigation.
Under the latest plans by the Conservative led coalition, the Home Office plan to abolish a rule that gives foreign workers the right to live permanently in Britain after working here for five years. Officials will also restrict the right of their family members to join them. Hardly a week goes by without an announcement of yet another ‘crackdown on immigration’. More often than not, it’s the same re-hashed crackdown! The ‘route to citizenship’ closure has been banded about for the last couple of years. In reality it will be difficult and unfair to deny residency rights to people already living in the UK for a number of years, especially those with ties such as children born in the UK.
