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 1st-5th March 2010
- European Migration Network’s Asylum and Migration Glossary. The purpose of this EMN Glossary of terms relating to Asylum and Migration is inter alia to improve comparability between EU Member States through the use and common understanding of the terms and definitions contained in it. EMN Glossary (Publication)
Week of 22nd-26th February 2010
Week of 15-19th February 2010
Week of 8th-12th February 2010
Week of 1st-5th February 2010
Week of 25th-29th January 2010
Week of 18th-22nd January 2010
Week of 11th -15th January 2010
Week of 4th-8th January 2010
Week of 7th-11th December 2009
Week of 30th November - 4th December 2009
Week of 23rd-27th November 2009
Week of 16th-20th November 2009
Week of 9th-13th November 2009
Week of 2nd-6th November 2009
Week of 26th-31st October 2009
Week of 19th-23rd October 2009
Week of 12th-16th October 2009
Week of 5th-9th October 2009
Migration
- Migration Statistics Improvement Programme - October releases. ONS have published a research report including a first set of short-term immigration estimates at local area level. This product has been developed as part of the Migration Statistics Improvement Programme. The report includes detail on the methods developed and estimates for each local authority in England & Wales. A feedback form is also contained within the report as ONS are keen for users to comment on the estimates in relation to research they have carried out. Please return any completed feedback forms to short.term.migration@ons.gov.uk by 1 December 2009. Also published are research reports on the use of School Census and Migrant Worker Scan data to improve migration and population statistics. These are also being published as part of the Migration Statistics Improvement Programme.
- Important changes for sponsors under the points-based system. On 5 October 2009 the UK Border Agency published revised guidance for employers and education providers who sponsor migrants under the points-based system, and enabled education providers to use the sponsorship management system for the first time.
- New versions of Tier 4 application forms and points-based system dependant form. The UK Border Agency has revised its application forms and guidance for migrants who want to study in the United Kingdom under Tier 4 of the points-based system and for dependants of points-based system migrants. From 5 October 2009 new versions 10/09 of Tier 4 (General), Tier 4 (Child) and PBS dependant application forms have been published on this website and they will replace the old versions 06/09.
- Immigration Group Stakeholder Alert - October 2009. In this month’s Stakeholder Alert, you can read about national news from across the UK Border Agency, including the first national Immigration Crime conference, the Points Based System, ID Cards for Foreign Nationals and Earned Citizenship.
Week of 28th September -2nd October 2009
Week of 21st-25th September 2009
Week of 14th-18th September 2009
Week of 7th-11th September 2009
Week of 31 August -3rd September 2009
Week of 24th-28th August 2009
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
- Closure of CRD complaints line. Due to the very low number of complaints that the Case Resolution Directorate’s complaint telephone line has received since it was opened last year, it has been decided the line will shut from 4.30pm on 28 August. There is no change to how the CRD receive and process written complaints. These should either be faxed to 0208 604 1745, sent in writing to the Customer Service Unit, 7th Floor, St Anne House, Croydon, CRO 9XB or by e-mail at CRDcustomerserviceunit@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
- Immigration Group Stakeholder Update on COMPASS Programme. The COMPASS Programme (Commercial and Operational Managers Procuring Asylum Support Services) has been established to replace the current suite of asylum support and refugee integration contracts that are due to expire in 2011.
- Integration: Building a Life in the UK - conference reports now online. The reports from the Refugee Council’s 2009 conference are now available to read online, including key recommendations which have been sent to the UK Border Agency for consideration. The conference provided an opportunity for discussion of effective integration policy and practice, focusing on four critical areas: housing, volunteering, education and employment, and children and families. Conference recommendations: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/Resources/Refugee%20Council/downloads/eventsAndtraining/integ%20conf%20recommendations%20Aug%2009%20_3_.pdf
Migration
- Control of Immigration Quarterly Statistical Summary April - June 2009. This information is grouped by key operational area of the UK Border Agency – i.e. border control, asylum, managed migration, and enforcement and compliance. UK Border Agency will no longer be publishing separate quarterly Accession monitoring reports (Accession Monitoring Report and Bulgarian and Romanian Accession Statistics), however key findings and summary data for the A8 and A2 will continue to be published in this bulletin
Press release: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/august/immigration-asylum-stats-release
Supplementary Excel tables:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq209supp.xls
- Control of immigration Statistics United Kingdom 2008. The bulletin presents the 2008 data, the latest annual series available. Information is provided in the form of this published bulletin and further supplementary web tables.
Supplementary Excel tables: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb1409supp.xls
- National Insurance Number Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals Entering the UK. This page presents the latest national statistics on National Insurance number allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK. Analytical report – reflects latest annual figures to March 2009: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/nino_allocations_aug09.pdf
- Community Development Foundation - new briefing on cohesion and migration. The briefing outlines the interim findings of an ongoing piece of work with community development practitioners to explore community development approaches to building cohesion in areas affected by migration.
- 2007- 08 Citizenship Survey: Community Cohesion Topic Report. Using 2007-08 Citizenship Survey data, this report provides an in-depth examination of community cohesion, attitudes towards the neighbourhood and the local area, belonging to the neighbourhood, fear of crime, social networks, and peoples' interactions with people from different backgrounds.
Week of 17th-21st August 2009
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
- Reimbursement letter for GPs - new version to be used by voluntary sector organisations. UK Border Agency has agreed to reimburse the voluntary sector (VS) for the £52.50 agreed fee for GPs to complete the medical declaration to confirm that a failed asylum seeker is unable to leave the UK because of ill-health so that they can continue to claim section 4 support. This letter can be handed to the GP with a request for an invoice instead of paying the fee up front. The voluntary sector organisation will then arrange payment of the £52.50 fee and claim it back from the UK Border Agency.
- Strategic internships for Zimbabweans. The Zimbabwean Strategic Internship Scheme is a Citizens for Sanctuary project to assist in the reconstruction of Zimbabwe by increasing the skill levels and work experience of its citizens residing in the UK. The Scheme is led by Zimbabwean exiles and aims to provide strategic work placements and internships in the public, private and voluntary sectors to Zimbabweans who wish to play a part in rebuilding their country when it is safe to return.
- UK Border Agency response to the report published by 11 Million on the detention of children in April 2009. Lin Homer of the UK Border Agency wrote to Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the Children’s Commissioner for England to respond to the concerns raised in the report published in April 2009 by 11 Million into Yarl’s Wood ‘The arrest and detention of children subject to immigration’. 11 Million report can also be downloaded from:
http://www.11million.org.uk/content/publications/content_361
- No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Network bulletin - August 2009. The issue includes: report on the Destitute A8/A2 Migrants conference in Cardiff; article from Rebecca Pritchard of CLG on resolving the destitution of A8/A2 migrants; responses to two consultations; dates for upcoming meetings and events organised by the NRPF Network.
- “Employing Refugees” guide. This is a short guide, produced by the Refugee Council in partnership with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which outlines the main documents refugees and asylum seekers have to demonstrate entitlement to work in the UK. The guide is aimed at employers but will also be useful to advisers working with refugees.
Migration
- Publication of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) report on the points-based system: Tier 2 and dependants. The report highlights that immigration plays an important role in supporting the UK economy. However, it recommends that the earnings thresholds for gaining points should be raised, jobs should be advertised within the UK for longer and the arrangements for intra-company transfers should be strengthened. Strong monitoring and enforcement of Tier 2 is also required. Press release: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/mac/press-release-aug-09.pdf
- Student visas - provision for students with International Baccalaureate qualifications. It has come to the UK Border Agency’s attention that students relying on International Baccalaureate qualifications awarded on 5 July 2009 will not be issued with a paper transcript giving their results, and will not receive their award certificates in time to apply for United Kingdom university courses starting in September this year. To enable these students to apply under Tier 4 of the points-based system, UKBA have made urgent provision for students relying on an International Baccalaureate qualification. Press release:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/august/baccalaureate
- Lower age limit for partners of points-based system applicants. The UK Border Agency has clarified the age requirements for husbands, wives and civil partners under the points-based system (PBS). To be allowed to enter the United Kingdom as the husband, wife or civil partner of a PBS applicant, the dependant and the main applicant must both be aged 18 or over on the date when they are due to arrive in the United Kingdom. Paragraph 35 of the policy guidance for PBS dependants has been amended to include this clarification.
- Updated implementation plan for Tier 4 of the points-based system. The implementation plan for Tier 4 of the points-based system has been updated, to reflect the refinement to Phase 3 (trial of the sponsorship management system) as communicated to stakeholders in July 2009.
Week of 10th-14th August 2009
Week of 3rd - 7th August 2009
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
- Asylum Support Partnership Response to the Department of Health’s Flu Pandemic Plan. This report makes recommendations to enable the Department of Health to ensure that the Flu Pandemic Plan will adequately meet the needs of asylum seekers and refugees. The report finds that, at present, there are significant issues that need to be addressed to ensure provision is sufficient during a potential pandemic.
- Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project - August 2009 update. The Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project aims to help non-immigration specialist professionals working with asylum seeking and refugee children find out about this group of children's rights and entitlements.
Migration
- Shall We Stay or Shall We Go? Re-migration trends among Britain’s immigrants - Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) report. In this report ippr sets out to quantify and analyse re-migration from the United Kingdom, and to understand what motivates immigrants to leave. The phenomenon of re-migration – in other words the emigration of immigrants – has not, on the whole, been well documented or understood. But policymakers should care about re-migration and know more about those leaving. Guardian press release:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/06/britain-losing-highly-skilled-migrants
UKBA press release:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/august/new-research-shows-immigrants
Full report is not available in a pdf format – it can be purchased following this link: http://www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=685
- UK Border Agency Consultation - Earning the right to stay: A new points test for citizenship. This consultation document seeks views on: introducing a new points test for earned citizenship, to better manage the numbers allowed to settle permanently in the United Kingdom; delivering the earned citizenship system in partnership with local authorities; supporting those who are on the path to citizenship to integrate into their new communities; and managing the impacts of migration on the developing world. The consultation is open for 12 weeks from 3 August 2009, and UKBA welcome your comments. Responses to the consultation should be sent by no later than midnight on 26 October 2009 to the Citizenship Consultation Team: CitizenshipPointsmailbox@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Consultation response form:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/221878/earning-the-right-to-stay/earning-the-right-to-stay/earned-citizenship-form?view=Binary
Further information:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/221878/earning-the-right-to-stay
- Changes to the points-based system. On 7 August the UK Border Agency announced a number of changes to the points-based system and revised its guidance for employers and education providers who sponsor migrant workers and students. Press release:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/august/pbs-sponsor-changes
Table of changes:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/table-of-changes-7-August
Updated sponsor applications guidance:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/sponsorapplicationsguidance.pdf
- Certificates of approval - policy for the return of application fees. On 9 April 2009 the UK Border Agency suspended the fee for applications to obtain a certificate of approval - a document that is required by many migrants who are subject to immigration control and who want to get married or register a civil partnership in the United Kingdom. If somebody applied for a certificate of approval between 1 February 2005 and 8 April 2009, they may now be eligible to have the fee returned to them if they can demonstrate that payment of the fee caused their real financial hardship. Press release:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/july/coa-policy-on-fee-return
Request form:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/partners-other-family/coa-refund-form
- Guidance for local authorities on how to mainstream community cohesion into other services. This guidance provides evidence and arguments that can be used by local authorities as a basis for mainstreaming or embedding community cohesion in other areas of service delivery and with other local organisations. Press release:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1303700
- The economic case for cohesion. This study looks at the available evidence on the economic benefits of building cohesion. It reviews evidence for crime, fear of crime, education, employment, health and economic investment.
- Social security coordination: revised EU rules. The Council of Ministers and European Parliament have approved a legislative package on social security coordination in the EU. These new rules will pave the way for a modernisation of the system for coordinating national social security regimes in the EU as from March 2010. The following groups stand to benefit from the new arrangements: Tourists; Mobile workers; Job seekers; Pensioners
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Week of 27th-31st July 2009
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
- Changes to asylum support rates. The new changes came into effect on 6 July. The current rates of support are: Qualifying couple (married or in a civil partnership): £69.57; Lone parent aged 18 or over: £42.16; Single person aged 25 or over, excluding lone parent (where the decision to provide cash support is made before 5 October and the person has or will have reached the age of 25 before that date): £42.16; Any other single person aged 18 or over, excluding lone parent: £35.13; Single person (not a member of a qualifying couple) aged 16 or over but under 18: £38.18; Single person under 16: £50.81. Letter from UKBA:
http://www.eera.gov.uk/GetAsset.aspx?id=fAAzADEAOAA3AHwAfABGAGEAbABzAGUAfAB8ADAAfAA1.
- Re-organisation of Case Resolution Directorate (CRD) North. Following a re-organisation of CRD North, Adam Wheeler’s team (L11) is to be disbanded. The case allocation has been divided as below, The changes take place from 10 August. Paul Van Arendsen’s team - L5 will deal with Suffolk (but not Ipswich) and Essex – telephone number 0151237 8068. Lesley Grocott’s team - L7 will deal with Cambridgeshire and Ipswich – telephone number 0151 237 8172
- 'Finding Sanctuary, Enriching Yorkshire and Humber' - the regional integration strategy for refugees and asylum seekers 2009-2011. Yorkshire and Humber Regional Strategic Partnership produced this strategy following extensive consultation, as part of the Refugee Integration Programme at YHRMP. The aim of the strategy is the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the Yorkshire and Humber region and its local communities. The strategy sets out a vision for integration and key objectives. It also identifies regional priorities for action under six areas of integration: housing, health, work and skills, safety, community and society, and children and young people.
- European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Survey - Complementary Protection in Europe. ECRE has published a limited update of its 2004 survey on complementary and subsidiary protection. This update covers nine EU Member States plus Switzerland. The objective of the survey was to analyse systems of complementary protection operating in these countries. Information on the UK is included on pp. 67-73 of the survey.
- Asylum Support Partnership Newsletter - July 2009. The newsletter provides a bi-monthly update on asylum support policy and practice changes.
- The Testimony Project. Online resource to disseminate information and stories of women asylum seekers in the UK
Migration
- Oxfam’s briefing paper - Turning the Tide: How best to protect workers employed by gangmasters, five years after Morecambe Bay. This paper evaluates the current protection afforded to workers in the industries regulated by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. It highlights that a significant number of unlicensed gangmasters continue to exist, and exploitation of workers is still reported. The GLA’s efforts to reduce exploitation are fundamentally thwarted by workers’ fear of blowing the whistle, particularly during a recession. Oxfam is also calling for the GLA’s remit to be extended to cover the industries of construction, hospitality and care, where exploitation is currently widespread. Summary: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/trade/downloads/bp_ukpp_gla_summary.pdf
Full paper: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/trade/downloads/bp_ukpp_gla.pdf
- Learning and Skills Council - ESOL update for partners. Published by the LSC in July 2009, this document updates on activity since the publication of ‘A New Approach to ESOL’ and sets out timelines for future activity. Key document for all partners involved in the delivery of services and provision for ESOL learners. Fast facts for local authorities:
http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/nat-esol_fast_facts_LA-july2009-v1-1.doc
Fast facts for providers:
http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/nat-esol_fast_facts_Providers-july2009-v1-1.doc
Timeline in preparation for 2010/2011 implementation: http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/national/nat-esoltimeline-pl-07jul2009-v1-0.doc
- Destitute A8/A2 Migrants and Access to Public Funds - conference presentations now available. This conference was co-hosted by the NRPF Network and the British Red Cross.
- The equality implications of being a migrant in Britain. This EHRC report reviews the available information about inequalities that migrant workers and their families face in Britain today. It sets out the rapidly changing policy context and its implications in relation to gender, age, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation, analyses recent statistical data from a range of official sources, and examines the experiences of migrants themselves. The report highlights a range of problematic areas and concludes that many government policies and approaches to immigration and citizenship fail to take into account their equality implications
- Annual overview 2008/09 on the migration statistics improvement programme. This annual overview from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides a summary of the first year’s work under the Migration Statistics Improvement Programme (MSIP). The MSIP has been set up to deliver users’ needs for timely, relevant and accurate migration statistics that measure population change at national and local levels and are capable of detecting turning points in patterns of migration.
- Migration statistics: the way ahead. The UK Statistics Authority has published a review of progress to improve official migration statistics. It concludes that whilst useful work is being done across government to deliver some improvements in the short to medium term, the longer term goal of high quality migration estimates derived primarily from administrative sources will take some considerable time to realise.
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Week of 20th-24th July 2009
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Archived from previous weeks:
Week of 13th-17th July 2009
Week of 6th-10th July 2009
Week of 22nd – 26th June 2009
Week of 15th -19th June 2009
Week of 1st - 5th June 2009
Week of 25th-29th May 2009
Week of 18th-22nd May 2009
Week of 11th-15th May 2009
Week of 4th- 8th May 2009
Week of 27th April – 1st May 2009
- Children’s Commissioner publishes major report on the arrest and detention of children subject to immigration control.
- Employing Refugees guide now available online.
- Our Hidden Borders: The UK Border Agency’s Powers of Detention.
- People on the Move: Handbook of Selected Terms and Concepts.
- European Country of Origin Information Network
- Eurasylum’s monthly interview.
- European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Comments.
- European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee approves "asylum package".
- UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines on Iraqi Asylum-Seekers.
- Latest recommended shortage occupation lists published.
- Government statement following Commons vote on Gurkhas.
- Points-based system: youth mobility scheme: Japanese nationals.
- Museums, libraries and archives - supporting new communities and responding to migration trends.
Week of 20th-24th April 2009
- House of Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee - Third Report: Looked-after Children.
- No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) briefing - April 2009.
- A Positive Partnership: The HIV Immigration Project 2003-2009.
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Publishes its 2nd Strategic Assessment Report on Child Trafficking.
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill - latest amendments.
- New guidance for Gurkhas wishing to settle in the United Kingdom.
- Supporting People service directories
- Adult Education 'Vital' for All Migrants - Migration, Communities and Lifelong Learningメ report.
- Projections of Migration Inflows Under Alternative Scenarios for the UK and World Economies.
- Migration: A long-run perspective.
- Citizenship Survey: April - December 2008, England.
- New forum and website on integration.
- European Parliament adopts a report on a Common Immigration Policy for Europe.
Week of 13th-17th April 2009
- Q&A leaflet from Asylum Support Events for voluntary sector organisations held by UK Border Agency.
- The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Humans.
- Child trafficking into Britain accelerating, figures show.
- Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report: "Immigration Detention Conditions at Heathrow”.
- New Asylum Model to be reviewed.
- One-off exercise on immigration billing announced.
- SMILE website launches.
- Employing Refugees Guide. Contact Marsela Hoxha at marsela.hoxha@refugeecouncil.org.uk for copies
- Enhanced returns package for refused asylum seekers from Zimbabwe.
- Keeping work restrictions for Eastern Europeans.
- Highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) Forum Judicial Review - Judgement of 6 April 2009.
- Changes to the Certificate of Approval Scheme.
- UK Border Agency update on key immigration group issues of interest to stakeholders.
- Statistics Authority publishes an interim report on a review of migration statistics.
- Problems at work? What you need to know: dealing with problems at work Guidance for employees on how to resolve problems at work.
- Moving Europe: EU research on migration and policy needs
Week of 30th March-3rd April 2009
- Healthcare ruling from Court of Appeal
- Refugee Council policy statement in response to the UKBA publication Moving on Together: Government’s Recommitment to Supporting Refugees [March 2009].
- UK compliance with human trafficking convention.
- Refugee community newsletters.
- Developing indicators for the protection of the rights of the child in the EU report.
- Bail for Immigration Detainees briefings.
- East of England Regional Assembly Strategic Migration Partnership (EERA-SMP) Migrant Health Scoping Report.
- Reducing Rough Sleeping Among Central and Eastern Europeans in London: Report on the Action Plan.
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill : latest amendments.
- Implementation dates of new visa regimes for nationals of Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela.
- Tough new rules to target bogus education cheats.
- New Immigration Rules and Tier 1 application forms published on 31 March 2009.
- Business visitor rules.
- UK Border Agency Gains Full Agency Status and Launches New Business Plan.
- Race Relations in Prisons: Responding to adult women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
- Border security agreement signed.
Week of 23rd -27th March 2009
- ICAR Statistics Paper 1 Key Statistics about Asylum Seeker Applications in the UK and ICAR Statistics Paper 2 Asylum Decision Making and Appeals Process.
- UK Border Agency releases its strategy on integration and resettlement.
- Children’s Commissioner for Wales Launches Study on Child Trafficking in Wales.
- Asylum Support Partnership Newsletter - March 2009.
- UNHCR issues educational toolkit on asylum and migration in Europe.
- Migrant worker availability in the East of England.
- Longitudinal study of migrant workers in the East of England: interim report.
- Specialist Cohesion Team Report - Cohesion and Migration in Breckland.
- Tier 4 (student) application forms for use after 31 March 2009.
- New immigration applicants to get identity cards for foreign nationals.
- Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) report: UK Border Security: Issues, systems and recent reforms.
- International Organisation for Migration (IOM) digest-spring 2009.
Week of 16th-20th March 2009
- “Underground Lives”: report on destitute asylum seekers
- Britain’s biggest immigration removal centre opens.
- Immigration centre plans go ahead.
- £3.7m for victims of human trafficking.
- Government announces ᆪ70m fund to support communities with migration. O
- Managing the impacts of migration: Improvements and innovations.
- Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) releases new reports on migration and the economy.
- Accession to Recession: A8 migration in Bristol & Hull.
- Migration Excellence Programme evaluation report.
- New rules for skilled and highly skilled migrant workers.
- Changes to tier 4 migrant guidance.
- Important changes to the Knowledge of Life requirement for settlement applications.
Week of 9th-13th March 2009
- Does Every Child Matter? Children Seeking Asylum in Britain
- New country reports from the UK Border Agency Country of Origin Information Service.
- Proposed new clauses in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill.
- New Department of Health website for the integration of refugees
- Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers - briefing on destitution.
- Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) briefings .
- European Parliament adopts report on the future of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
- London School of Economics interim report on irregular migrants.
- Changes to the points-based system.
- New arrangements for partners.
- Select Committee on the Constitution Seventh Report : Part 3 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill.
- Information Sheets on Maternity Rights for Migrants.
- European Parliament adopts report on external border management.
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Week of 2nd-6th March 2009
- UK Border Agency Case Resolution Directorate - letter on Zimbabwean asylum cases
- Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project - Update March 2009.
- HACT Reach In Housing Volunteer Project.
- UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights releases new Handbook for civil society.
- Worker Registration Scheme : local authority level data available.
- Student appointments made at a public enquiry office on or after 31 March.
- Public enquiry offices open their doors to more points-based system applications T
- Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) inquiry into the meat and poultry processing industry: call for evidence.
- EU-IMMINENT project for migrant entrepreneurs.
- Ethnic Minority Achievement Programme newsletter: Spring 2009 Issue
- New Communities and Local Government Department publication on race equality and community cohesion.
- Better school support needed for migrant children, say Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
- Rethinking migration.
Week of 23rd-27th February 2009
- The Vulnerable Women’s Project Good Practice Guide: Assisting Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women affected by Rape or Sexual Violence
- The Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) new updates
- Immigration and asylum statistics released
The Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, UK,
- Population and Migration Statistics
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL] 2008-09.
- Select Committee on the Constitution - Fifth Report - Part 1 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill .
- UK Border Agency 10-point delivery plan.
- Important changes for South African visitors to the United Kingdom.
- Migrant workers face tougher test to work in the United Kingdom.
- Proposed fee levels for visas and sponsor licences in 2009/10
- Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) - The Economic Impacts of Migration on the UK Labour Market.
- Contract in place for a new national information portal for migrant workers.
- Mapping migration
Week of 16th to 20th February 2009
- No recourse to public funds (NRPF) network briefing February 2009.
- No Recourse to Public Funds: Financial Implications for Local Authorities.
- Royal College of GPs - Position Statement on Primary Care Access for Failed Asylum Seekers & Vulnerable Migrants.
- A Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
- UK Migration Controversies: A Simple Guide. T
- Homeless Link and the Advice on Individual Rights in Europe (AIRE) Centre - transitional arrangements.
- Homeless Link’s report on rough sleeping amongst Eastern and Central Europeans in London.
- Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organizations.
- The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) updates. .
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Week of 9th-13th February 2009
- How to involve hard to reach children-guide
- What price does a refugee pay to reach Europe?
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) migrant worker employment statistics
- Proposed fee levels for visas and sponsor licences in 2009/10
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL] 2008-09
- Identity cards for foreign nationals to extend to further immigration categories
- New countries face tough visa rules
- Multilingualism brings communities closer together
- International Organisation for Migration (IOM) brief: The impact of the global financial crisis on migration
Week of 2nd-6th February 2009
- The Gateway Protection Programme: an evaluation
- The potential of migrant and refugee community organisations to influence policy
- Empowering Birmingham’s migrant and refugee community organisations: Joseph Rowntree Foundation report
- Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) warns the UK government not to resort to protecting jobs in this country for UK workers
- Increase in foreign workers over past three years
- Evaluation of Partners Outreach for Ethnic Minorities: Interim report
- Online survey of the impact of ESOL policy changes
Week of 26th-30th January 2009
- Report suggests many are left in detention centre limbo
- HM Inspectorate of Prisons annual report 2007-2008.
- The Newsletter of the Asylum Support Partnership (ASP)
- Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR). T
- European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) adopts report on detention centres .
- UK Border Agency presentation on sponsor licensing.
- Universities and colleges warned to sign up now to the new points system if they want to teach international students.
- Creating Spaces: Community development approaches to building stronger communities.
Week of 19th-23rd January 2009
- UK National Audit Office (NAO): Report on Management of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency.
- UKBA Response to the National Audit Office report on management of asylum applications
- The impact of the recession on migrant labour - LGA paper.
- Migrants and refugees among Council of Europe’s Commission for Human Rights - thematic priorities for 2009.
- Ethnicity and Family: relationships within and between ethnic groups - Equality and Human Rights Commission report.
Week of 12th-16th January 2009
- The position of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in light of the recent judgement by the Asylum Immigration Tribunal [AIT] and its impact on Zimbabwean asylum-seekers.
- New resource for integrating refugee children and young people:
- Consultation on revised statutory guidance for local authorities on children missing from home or care.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) migrant worker website .
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill -first reading in the House of Lords
- Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill comments from the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).
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Week of 5th-9th January 2009
- Keeping children safe from harm new UKBA code of practice
- IAS case in Court of Appeal extends power of judiciary against that of Home Office with regard to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
- Online toolkits for refugee community organisations (RCOs) Financial management toolkit:http://www.thebasisproject.org.uk/Resources/The%20Basis%20Project/Documents/PDF/FMfull7.pdf. ;Fundraising toolkit:http://www.thebasisproject.org.uk/Resources/The%20Basis%20Project/Documents/PDF/Fundraising-full3.pdf
- New policy on judicial reviews that challenge removals
- Early successes of the new points system for foreign workers
- Universities and colleges sign up to new system for foreign students
- Sources of resentment, and perceptions of ethnic minorities among poor white people in England
- Cohesion Delivery Framework: Overview
- National minimum wage guides for workers and employers. Short guide for workers:http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48128.pdf; Short guide for employers: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48127.pdf
To access summaries of the 2008 Weekly Newsflash issues, click here.