Weekly Newsflash

The Newsflash is a weekly round up of publications, information, events, funding and jobs relating to asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers for anyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest developments. The newsflash is produced in partnership with the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) Strategic Migration Partnership, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Partnership Development Project (MENTER).

Week of 10th-14th November

Asylum Seekers and Refugee

Insufficient Support For London's Disabled Asylum Seekers. Research released on 14 November by the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) at City University London and Refugee Support/Metropolitan Support Trust (MST).

Freedom, Security and Justice: What will be the future? –This European Commission consultation on priorities for the next five years (2010-2014) includes the further development of a Common European Asylum System.
Online survey: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=JLSFuture&lang=en

pdf version: http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/consulting_public/0001/consultation_questionaire_en.pdf

Migration

200,000 fewer jobs available for migrant workers under new rules. The shortage occupation list will be used as part of the skilled worker tier (Tier 2) of the Australian-style points system, which will be launched on 27 November. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/workingintheuk/shortageoccupationlist

Closure of the retired persons of independent means route of entry. The retired persons of independent means route will be closed from 27 November 2008. A formal statement announcing these changes was made by Phil Woolas, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration on 4 November. Q&A document: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/britishcitizenship/retiredpersonsqanda

Week of 3rd-7th November 2008

Asylum Seekers and Refugee

UNHCR's submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into the Draft Immigration and Citizenship Bill. UNHCR urges the Joint Committee to ensure that the new immigration legislation is compatible with the UK's obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

NRPF network briefing October 2008. This briefing focuses on the work currently being undertaken by the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)Network.

Support Solutions - The Housing & Support Sector Forum. The “Opening Doors” project has produced a set of training modules on refugee and new migrant housing issues, and a review of policy reports on new migration.

Include Refugees and their Families in EU Integration Policies. The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) calls for including refugees and their families in mainstream EU integration policies.

Asylum is a duty for Europe, says the vice-president of the European Commission at ECRE’s Biannual general meeting: Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Civil Liberties, Justice insisted on the importance of asylum issues during his mandate.

New Shelter guide for asylum seekers and refugees

Migration

Marriage visa age to rise later this month. The Government announced that from 27 November, both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa can be issued.

New business and special visitor rules published on 4 November and going live on 27 November 2008

The International Organization for Migration (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2008 (Draft). This Order confers privileges and immunities upon the International Organization for Migration and its members of staff, and also confers the legal capacities of a body corporate on the Organisation.

No place like home? Shelterﾒs policy discussion paper. This is Shelter's new policy discussion paper considering the various topical issues surrounding the debate on housing and migration.

The UK Borders Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2008. This Order brings into force on 25th November 2008 the biometric registration provisions of the UK Borders Act 2007.

Results of the third European ministerial conference on integration. On Tuesday 4 November, on the second day of the Vichy conference, Brice Hortefeux obtained the agreement of his 26 European counterparts on a series of commitments for advancing integration. Full text of the declaration: http://www.ue2008.fr/webdav/site/PFUE/shared/import/1103_Ministerielle_Integration/Final_declaration_EN.pdf

Other related news

Mirgant Rights November 2008 Bulletin Click here for full bulletin includes: (1) Parliamentary Prayer urged around New Changes to Immigration Rules; (2) MRN Launches Research into Government's 'Civil Penalty Regime'; (3) Migrants used as 'Guinea Pigs' for Controversial ID Card Scheme
Refugee Council News Reviews Click here for full bulletin, includes: Draft Immigration and Citizenship Bill under scrutiny
Scottish Refugee Council Newsletter Autumn 2008

Week of, 27th-31st October 2008

Asylum Seekers and Refugee

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugeesﾒ (UNHCR) submission to the Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into Managing Migration. In undertaking an inquiry into Managing Migration, UNHCR urges the Select Committee to ensure that the principles of international refugee protection will remain a priority for the Government

UNHCR and UK work to improve refugee status determination. A project by the UN refugee agency and the British government to improve the process of refugee status determination (RSD) is acting as a model for other countries.

Request for MRCO Research for Jenny Phillimore. J. Phillimore, from the University of Birmingham, is seeking to identify literature about the activities of Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations. In particular we are interested in any reports or evaluations which discuss the role that MRCOs play in helping to support integration or cohesion, the distinctiveness of MRCO activities or the barriers faced when trying to meet the needs of migrant communities. If you have undertaken any research or consultancy around the issues of MRCOs, of have some reports that you could pass on please e-mail reports or suggestions to me on j.a.phillimore@bham.ac.uk or send to: Dr Jenny Phillimore, Institute of Applied Social Studies, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121 414 7822

Migration

Help white working class, or risk fuelling anti-immigrant surge, warns Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, in his speech at the CBI Migration Summit in London on 28 October 2008.

LGA migration statistics resource guide. A review and critique of official sources of data that provide estimates of migration and population more generally. It will be available in early November. For more information contact: peter.norris@lgar.local.gov.uk or 020 7664 3076

Joseph Rowntree Foundation study ﾑThe changing pattern of earnings: employees, migrants and low-paid familiesﾒ. This study explores the assumption that individuals can work their way out of poverty.

Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) report: Moving Up Together. Promoting equality and integration among the UKﾒs diverse communities. Moving Up Together addresses the question of why some migrant and minority communities in the UK are falling behind.

Homelessness Concern at Immigration and Citizenship Bill. Shelter, Chartered Institute of Housing and the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust argue the current proposals exclude some migrant groups from housing entitlements and restrict integration of migrant groups into communities.

Home from Home: Addressing the Issues of Migrant Workers' Housing. Migrant workers come to the UK to seek employment but all too often find themselves living in expensive, overcrowded and poor-quality accommodation.

Migrant applications for tiers 2 and 5 of the points based system will open on 27 November 2008. Tier 2, relating to skilled workers, replaces the current work permit scheme. Tier 5 covers temporary workers entering the United Kingdom for a short period. From 27 November 2008 employers wishing to bring non-European Economic Area migrants to the United Kingdom under tiers 2 and 5 will need to be a licensed sponsor. Information on sponsorship under the points-based system: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points

Roll-out of new rules for foreign students. Under the new system, which will be rolled out from March next year, colleges and universities who want to teach non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals must have a licence issued by the UK Border Agency. Licensed institutions can then sponsor non EEA students to come to study in the UK. Press release: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=382715&NewsAreaID=2

Points-based system: approved English language tests for tier 2. Tier 2 of the points-based system (PBS) will enable UK employers to recruit individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to fill a particular job hat cannot be filled by a British or EEA national. One of the requirements of the PBS will be that, in most cases, migrants coming here to undertake skilled or highly skilled work must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have an acceptable standard of English. Only tests that have been assessed as meeting the UK Border Agency standards will be accepted as evidence that the applicant meets this requirement.

Week of 20th-25th Oct 2008

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

UNHCR report - Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialised Countries, First Half 2008. Statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in 38 European and 6 non-European countries.

New European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) study on Qualification Directive: The directive seeks to establish minimum standards for granting international protection in the EU. The study has found that “considerable scope remains for future harmonisation of EU qualification standards”. Full text: http://www.ecre.org/files/ECRE_QD_study_full.pdf
Summary: http://www.ecre.org/files/ECRE_QD_study_summary.pd

Separated from parents, child refugees present unique protection needs. The UN refugee agency's top protection official has called for the creation of asylum and migration practices which take greater account of the specific needs of children

Migration

UK Border Agency publishes Transitional arrangements for Tiers 2 and 5. Important information for people who are currently in the United Kingdom with leave to enter or remain in one of the immigration categories being abolished.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation round-up paper ﾑThe housing and neighbourhood impact of Britain's changing ethnic mixﾒ. Housing pressures in British cities partly result from the net migration of people to Britain over the past ten years.

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008. This Order brings into force the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c.4) set out in Schedule 1 on 3rd November 2008.

A guide for advisers to support migrant workers in overcoming the barriers to learning and work. The advisers' guide is a training and reference resource to help understand the needs and issues of this client group. The client guide, available in English, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian, includes practical information and links to other sources of information. http://www.advice-resources.co.uk/adviceresources/general/guides/migrantworkerguide/adviser_guide.pdf
Client guides: http://www.advice-resources.co.uk/adviceresources/general/guides/migrantworkerguide

EERA new website (from 27 October 2008): The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) is refreshing its website. The change in structure will mean that any links you may have on your organisations' website will need updating. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Rosalind Hands, Communications Officer tel. 01284 729 427 rosalind.hands@eera.gov.uk

Week of 13th-17th October 2008

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Appointment of a Senior Immigration Judge - Susan Ward. The Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Jack Straw MP, has appointed Susan Ward to be a Senior Immigration Judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, based in London, with effect from 1 November 2008.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) new reports. UNHCR has recently published a series of new evaluation reports on different aspects of their work, including returnee reintegration programmes in the Sudan and Angola, voluntary repatriation, and human trafficking.

Forced Migration Review October issue on climate change and displacement. Forced Migration Review provides a forum for the regular exchange of practical experience, information and ideas between researchers, refugees and internally displaced people, and those who work with them.

Migration

New one-stop shop for cohesion launched. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears welcomed the launch of a new dedicated website giving expert help and guidance on creating strong, cohesive communities. The website was developed by the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo)

National Migration Conference. The conference took place on 16 October 2008 at the Hilton Tower Bridge, London. The purpose of the conference was to disseminate lessons learnt from the IDeA programme and its 11 support projects with councils.

European Pact on Immigration and Asylum formally adopted on 16 October. According to the Council, this Pact is aimed at “forming the basis […] of common immigration and asylum policy”, and it is “guided by a spirit of solidarity between Member States and cooperation with third countries”. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/103441.pdf
(page 8). Press release: http://euobserver.com/22/26924

Archived from previous weeks:

Week of 6th-10th Oct 2008