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

    Asylum-seekers and refugees

  • Protests at Yarl's Wood: Refugee Council response. As women continue to hunger strike at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre in protest over the conditions and length of their detention, the Refugee Council is calling for an end to the indefinite detention of people who have claimed asylum. The Refugee Council is deeply concerned about the current events at Yarl's Wood, and is disappointed the government has dismissed evidence from detainees themselves about their treatment there, as well as ignoring the growing body of evidence from health professionals that immigration detention is seriously damaging to physical and mental wellbeing.
     
  • Refugee Council briefing: “Rape and sexual violence: the experiences of refugee women in the UK”. This briefing summarises the Refugee Council's key concerns about the situation of refugee and asylum seeking women in the UK who have survived rape and sexual violence, based on our experience of working with women to provide specialist support, practical help and counselling.

    • Migration

  • UK Border Agency bi-monthly stakeholder update. This update includes agency-wide news, information on issues relating to border control, immigration and international developments and has updates on current consultations and the work of stakeholder groups.
     
  • Development: Do points mean prizes? How the UK’s migration policies could benefit the world’s poor. This paper examines the nature of migration’s development impacts in some depth and asks how the Government can ensure that the UK’s migration policies contribute positively to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people, as well as benefiting British citizens.
     
  • Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications from 3 March 2010. New requirements for student applications under Tier 4 of the points-based system came into effect on 3 March 2010.
     
  • Council of Europe’s Anti-Racism Commission publishes new report on the United Kingdom. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its fourth report on the United Kingdom which deals with racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in this country. ECRI’s Chair, Nils Muiznieks, pointed out positive steps in fighting discrimination, but also expressed concern that racist incidents had become more frequent, police powers were exercised in a manner that disproportionately affected minority groups, Gypsies and Travellers still faced serious discrimination and asylum-seekers remained in a vulnerable position. Press release:
    http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Library/PressReleases/61-02_03_2010_UnitedKingdom_en.asp
     
  • EU social policy to ease the integration of immigrants. The EU should strengthen the links between its integration policies and the Social Policy Agenda and the 2010 review of the Social Agenda should take greater account of the social effects of immigration. These are the key demands of the opinion on Integration and Social Agenda adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee in February.
  • 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

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • New Supreme Court’s ruling : age disputed cases to be determined by the Courts and not local authorities. This case (R(A) v London Borough of Croydon, R(M) v London Borough of Lambeth) concerns disputes over the age assessments undertaken by the two local authorities. A and M, two unaccompanied asylum seekers, claimed to be children and therefore ‘children in need’ under section 20 of the Children Act 1989. The relevant local authorities rejected their age claims. The case addressed the lawfulness of the age assessment ‘regime’ for young people, and the effect of the Supreme Court’s decision is that where there is a dispute as to whether a young person is a child, the issue is to be determined by the Courts and not by local authorities. Press summary:  http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/docs/uksc_2009_0106_ps.pdf
     
  • Home Affairs Committee - First Report: “The Detention of Children in the Immigration System”.
     
  • Seeking Support: A Guide to the Rights and Entitlements of Separated Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children available here.
     
  • Migrant Children's Project update December 2009. The Migrant Children's Project (previously 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.
     
  • A three-month pilot scheme for victims of domestic violence with NRPF. The pilot is open to those victims who entered the UK on a spouse or partner visa, and who have experienced domestic abuse within their two year probationary period in the UK. The pilot runs nationally from 30th November 2009 for a three month period and will be monitored and evaluated throughout with an overall evaluation being conducted in March 2010 which will assist in informing next steps in developing a longer-term solution to the issue. Refuges supporting the victims will be provided with 4 weeks (20 working days) of funding to support the victim while they complete an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Domestic Violence Rule. Once an application is submitted and received by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the refuge will be provided with further funding for a maximum of 4 weeks (20 working days) whilst UKBA come to a decision on their application.
     
  • Seeking refuge? A handbook for asylum seeking women. This publication by the Rights of Women aims to help asylum seeking women, and those that support them, understand the law that determines who is entitled to protection in the UK and how decisions are made.
     
  • Women’s Asylum News - November/December 2009. This latest issue of the Asylum Aid’s newsletter includes sector update, significant legal issues, UK and international events, and new publications. 
     
  • European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) - interview with Debora Singer from Asylum Aid. Following the UK government’s publication of an ambitious strategy to end violence against women and girls, refugee organisations are concerned that the specific needs of female asylum seekers who are often victims of such abuses, are not adequately addressed. ‘Every Single Woman’, a new campaign launched by the British NGO Asylum Aid, reveals the large gaps in support offered to victims settled in the UK and to women fleeing violence in their home countries. ECRE interviewed Debora Singer, Women’s Project Coordinator responsible for the campaign at Asylum Aid. ‘Every Single Woman’ campaign briefing and extended campaign briefing
     
  • Legal Services Commission announces invitations to tender for immigration and asylum contracts from 2010. On 30 November 2009 the Legal Services Commission announced its Invitations to Tender for all immigration and asylum work from October 2010. The LSC are inviting tenders for immigration and asylum work separately from the main civil tender process, which will take place in February 2010. The Immigration and Asylum tender process is happening now in an effort to ease the burden on legal aid practitioners who are taking part in both tender processes, and to alleviate the pressure of running all civil bid rounds at the same time. The closing date for bids is 28 January 2010. This allows sufficient time to consider bids for immigration and asylum work on offer, and takes into account the Christmas holiday period. Press release:
    http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/aboutus/press_releases_10617.asp?page=1

    • Migration

  • Publication of MAC report on Tier 1 of the points-based system - 4 December 2009. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a report addressing the following question from the government in relation to Tier 1 of the points-based system: 'What further changes to the criteria for Tier 1 should there be in 2010/11, given the changing economic circumstances? Click here for the MAC report.
     
  • Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) launches call for evidence in relation to spring 2010 review of shortage occupation list. The Committee has launched a call for evidence in relation to those occupations being reviewed for the Committee's next report on shortage occupations, due for publication in the spring of 2010. These are: pharmacists, fishermen, engineering technicians (with specific reference to aircraft component manufacturing engineers) and musicians. The deadline for responses is 29 January 2010. For further details of the review please see the letter recently issued to relevant stakeholders and also a simple guide to submitting evidence. Guide to submitting evidence:
    http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/mac/Simpleguide.pdf  
     
  • Tier 4: students' experiences (applying from outside the UK). UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is calling on UKBA to improve the application process for students under Tier 4. Results of the survey show that the system has worked well for substantial numbers of students, but for many others, difficulties with forms, guidance and procedures or errors and obstruction from Entry Clearance Officers and commercial partners resulted in delays, extra costs and unnecessary refusals.  Full report here.   
     
  • The employment of migrant labour in the East Midlands.The East Midlands have been a significant destination for migrant workers from the EU Accession States. This study is a preliminary investigation into the impact the employment of migrant workers has had on employers’ practices in the management of human resources and the employment relationship.
     
  • Employer use of migrant labour - motivations, experiences and HR responses.This study, conducted between April and September 2008, had as its principle aims to investigate the procedural and employment relations’ challenges surrounding the employment of migrant labour. The particular focus of the study was to consider both whether HR policies and practices influenced the employment of migrant workers; and also whether their use had a subsequent impact on HR arrangements.
     
  • The recession's impact on immigrants.This article from the Migration Information Source describes the impacts of recession on migrants all over the world and also presents recent trends in the UK and Ireland. 
  • Economic and Social Research Council, Keele University Seminar Series: The impact of migrant workers on the functioning of labour markets and industrial relations. This seminar series has been developed by the British Universities Industrial Relations Association (BUIRA) study group on 'Migrant Labour and Industrial Relations'. The aim of the seminar series is to present and analyse research into the impact of migration upon the operation of labour markets and the regulation of the employment relationship in the United Kingdom. The first seminar took place on 11 November, and there are five more planned (dates have not been confirmed yet).

Week of 23rd-27th November 2009

 

Week of 16th-20th November 2009

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Care Leavers’ Association survey reveals that 145 looked after young people have gone missing from care in the last year. A survey of 202 local authorities across the UK, conducted by the Care Leavers’ Association (CLA), revealed that, over the last year, at least 145 children and young people have gone missing from care, with the local authorities having no knowledge of their whereabouts.
     
  • New project working with young refugees and asylum seekers. InterACT is a new Citizenship Foundation project which will be running in communities across the UK over the next three years. The project is based on the Citizenship Foundation's award winning Youth Act model. It aims to support groups of 16-25 year old refugees and asylum seekers to come together with locally resident young people and identify joint issues of concern to them, and their communities, and to develop campaigns to tackle them. Through this process the project seeks to break down barriers to integration for young asylum seekers and refugees, thus building greater community cohesion. For further information about the project please contact Xenia on Xenia.Davis@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk or on 020 7566 4153
     
  • European Parliament’s Committees adopt draft Resolution on the Stockholm Programme. On 12 November, at a joint meeting, the European Parliament’s Committees on Civil Liberties, Legal Affairs and Constitutional Affairs adopted a draft resolution on the five-year Justice and Home Affairs Programme (2010-2014), the so-called Stockholm Programme. The EP’s resolution calls for the policies on integration, immigration and asylum to be built on “the widest respect of fundamental rights” and on the basis of a system of “compulsory and irrevocable solidarity” between Member States and increased cooperation with third countries.

    • Migration

  • East of England Employers and Diversity - survey. The East of England is one of the most vibrant, inclusive and rapidly changing areas of the UK. What role do employers in the region play in promoting equality and diversity? You are invited to participate in this short survey of employers operating in the private, public and the voluntary sector. This survey is being conducted to find out more about current equality practice in the East of England Region. In particular, the importance employers place on equality and whether employers have found particular policies or practice that work well for their business/organisation. This survey is part of a research project commissioned by MENTER, a leading equality organisation. For more information contact us at: equalitiesintheeast@googlemail.com or visit
    www.menter.org.uk
     
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Triennial Review: drop in sessions to gather case studies, stories and real life experiences of discrimination and prejudice. EHRC would like to know what it feels like to experience discrimination and how it affects peoples’ lives. The Call for Evidence will be running to 15 January 2010 and EHRC will be holding a series of drop in sessions during this period to allow individuals and organisations to meet with them face to face and discuss key issues on the following dates: 1 December 10am-3pm (Manchester); 14 January 1pm - 5pm (London). If you would like to attend please email EHRC at triennialreview@equalityhumanrights.com to book a slot between any of the above times. Alternatively, please call their London reception on 020 3117 0235. You can also submit information by answering questions on line, downloading a word document and sending it back to EHRC or arranging to talk to EHRC over the phone.

 

Week of 9th-13th November 2009

 

Week of 2nd-6th November 2009

 

Week of 26th-31st October 2009

 

Week of 19th-23rd October 2009

 

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Update from UKBA on in-country ‘lorry drop’ reporting and UASC reporting in the East of England. EERA-SMP has now obtained confirmation from UK Border Agency that in-country ‘lorry drop’ reporting and UASC reporting in the East of England are not affected by the changes to initial asylum applications and further submissions announced by UKBA on 14 October 2009 and included in last week’s newsflash.
     
  • Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children - the numbers supported and the cost of support in the last four financial years. Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has given figures in parliament for spending on the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Grant to local authorities and the number of children supported for the last four financial years. The grant covers the main areas of local authority expenditure in this area.
     
  • Unaccompanied asylum seeking children - local authority grants. The UK Border Agency has issued the documentation for the UASC grant 2009/10 and the UASC leaving care costs grant 2009/10. These set out the arrangements for the payments to local authorities in respect of eligible unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) and eligible former unaccompanied asylum seeking children (leaving care).
     
  • Second-tier Advice Line on asylum support for agencies and organisation working with asylum seekers. Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP) is the only agency in the UK which specialises in asylum support appeals. Its second-tier Advice Line enables other advisers to access the relevant expertise directly and receive legal advice for their clients. Refugee community organisations and other voluntary agencies who are advocating on behalf of asylum seekers about their asylum support / asylum support appeals can call the Advice Line on 0845 603 3884. The Advice Line is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 2pm and 4pm.
     
  • A single and fairer asylum procedure for a uniform status in the EU: putting in place the final building blocks for international protection. On 21 October 2009 the European Commission adopted proposals to amend two existing legislative instruments of the Common European Asylum System: the Directive on qualification and status of persons in need of international protection and the Directive on asylum procedures.
     
  • Joint EU resettlement of refugees programme proposed. In September the European Commission proposed the establishment of a "Joint EU Resettlement Programme". This programme aims to develop resettlement within the EU into a more effective instrument to give protection to refugees, providing for closer political and practical cooperation among EU Member States. This initiative concerns the resettlement of refugees from third countries (i.e. non-EU) to an EU Member State. Resettlement is the transfer of refugees, who have provisional protection, from the first country of asylum to another country, where they can start a new life and find permanent protection. The programme proposed provides for closer political and practical cooperation among the Member States, consisting of a mechanism allowing for the setting of common annual priorities on resettlement and for a more effective use of the financial assistance available for member States through the European Refugee Fund. There are currently 10 Member States which carry out resettlement on an annual basis (including the UK), while some of the other Member States resettle refugees on an ad-hoc basis.

    • Migration

  • Latest recommended shortage occupation lists published. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommends that the shortage occupation route should include teachers in special schools and skilled meat boners and trimmers on its list of jobs most in need of immigrant labour. In response to changing economic circumstances, the MAC also recommends that some engineering and construction jobs be removed from the list as well as ship and hovercraft officers. For the time being skilled chefs remain on the recommended list. However, the MAC expects to see accelerated efforts to train up the UK workforce in this profession before the lists are reviewed again next year. Press release:
    http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/october/24-mac-sol-additions
     
  • Local authority support for the education of children of migrant workers : report by the Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales (Estyn).This report presents Estyn’s findings on the quality of provision for the children of migrant workers, particularly from the European Union (EU) Accession states, who attend maintained schools in Wales. The report also comments on the standards achieved by these children. Press release:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8315512.stm
     
  •  A new system to identify and support victims of trafficking has dealt with nearly 150 people in its first three months. New figures from the National Referral Mechanism, established in April 2009 as a new system to identify and aid trafficking victims, show 40 children and 108 adults have been identified by UK Border Agency officers and police as possible victims of trafficking. A revised action plan on tackling human trafficking contains updates on each of the main areas of the original plan (produced in 2007), including some additional actions. Update to the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking:
    http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/humantrafficking004b.pdf
     
  • National Population Projections, 2008-based.The population of the United Kingdom is projected to increase by over 4 million to 65.6 million in 2018, according to new population projections released on 21 October 2009 by the Office for National Statistics. Over the next 25 years, the UK population is projected to rise from an estimated 61.4 million in 2008 to 71.6 million by 2033. It is projected that the population of the UK will exceed 70 million by 2029. Of the 10.2 million projected increase in the UK population over the next 25 years, 55 per cent is projected natural increase (more births than deaths) and 45 per cent is projected net migration. Press release: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pprojnr1009.pdf
     
  • Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa: the most demographically extreme regions. This report examines the world’s two most demographically extreme regions: Sub-Saharan Africa (most rapid population growth) and Eastern Europe (fastest shrinking population), both of which are of interest in terms of future migration.
     
  • Leaflets on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), healthcare entitlement for EEA and non-EEA visitors and hospital treatment for non-resident UK citizens. These leaflets are part of a suite of information for overseas visitor managers in support of the new arrangements by which NHS trusts should record and report treatments (including planned treatments) of visitors from the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
     
  • Communication on Reducing Health Inequalities in the EU. Following a consultation earlier this year, the European Commission has published a policy document on reducing health inequalities in the EU. The document provides an analysis of health inequalities in the EU, current EU policies in this area and puts forward a number of activities to address health inequalities. Press release:
    http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/socio_economics/documents/com2009_pr_en.pdf .Further information:
    http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/socio_economics/cons_inequalities_en.htm
     

Week of 12th-16th October 2009

Week of 5th-9th October 2009

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Refugee Council briefing on UKBA changes to guidance used by caseworkers for considering legacy cases. On 12 August 2009, UKBA made some changes to their Enforcement Guidance and Instructions. The changes are technical, but are likely to have an impact on some asylum seekers who have been waiting for several years for their asylum claims to be resolved, and whose cases are Case Resolution cases that have not yet been considered by the Case Resolution Directorate (CRD). This briefing provides information about the changes, what they mean, who may be affected, and what individuals should do if they think they are affected by the change.
     
  • Asylum seekers - government response. The government has responded to claims in the media that up to 40,000 asylum seekers will be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom because it would be too difficult to return them to their home countries.
     
  • Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children's Project Update October 2009. 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.
     
  • Refugee Stories learning resource. The Refugee Communities History Project has made available the Refugee Stories learning resource for use by teachers at secondary school level.
  • Ethnic Enable charity in Glasgow. Ethnic Enable, a charity based in Glasgow, helps minority ethnic disabled people and their helpers (including those from asylum seeker and refugee communities) achieve a better quality of life by improving access to educational, employment, social welfare, health, leisure, recreational and cultural opportunities. This charity is interested in sharing experiences of other organisations involved in this area of activity and possibly forging partnerships with similar minded organisations in other EU countries. Contact details: Monica Mhoja; Development Officer; Ethnic Enable; 39 Napiershall Street; Glasgow; G20 6EZ. Tel: +44 (0) 141 334 2277 or email monica.mhoja@ethnicenable.org.uk

 

    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

 

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Human provenance pilot project. This is a “Proof of Concept” pilot and is aimed at targeting persons who the UKBA believe are making false claims about their nationality when making their application for asylum or where there is doubt regarding the claimed relationship between a child and adult who present themselves in the Asylum Screening Unit (ASU). Testing will be starting in the ASUs in the week commencing the 14th September. The pilot is time limited to a maximum of 10 months.
     
  • Reach In housing volunteering project for refugees. Reach In is a project developed by the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (hact), which will run in partnership with Housing Associations across England to provide free housing training and volunteer work placements for refugees. The project work will be focused in the following areas: Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Leeds, London, Manchester Nottingham, Norfolk/East of England, and Stoke-on-Trent. Please forward this to any organisation or individual whom you think might benefit from this project. Please contact Devan Kanthasamy on (020 7458 1160 or devan@hact.org.uk) if you have any further questions about Reach In or want to discuss the scheme before requesting your application form. Applications will open on 2 October and close on 2 November 2009. Those applicants who are shortlisted will be asked to attend an Information session at one of the locations listed on the flyer between 16 and 20 November. Those who successful complete this stage will be invited for an interview between 23 November and 4 December. The placements will start the week commencing 11 January 2010.
     
  • Women’s Asylum News - September 2009.The latest issue of the newsletter produced by the Refugee Women’s Resource Project is now available.

    • Migration

  • Advice to migrant workers from the Emergency Services - DVD. This DVD offers advice to migrants working in the West Country from the Fire, Police and Ambulance services. It has been prepared with the assistance of the Amber Initiatives, who provide support to people from Eastern Europe. The DVD is in English, Polish and Russian. Most information is generic, so it can be useful in other regions of the UK too.
     
  • Plans to tackle hate crime to better support victims. New measures to support victims of hate crime bring more perpetrators to justice and increase reporting of these crimes were outlined today by the government. The Hate Crime Action Plan sets out government work to address all forms of hate crime with an emphasis on preventing these crimes from occurring or escalating in seriousness. Press release:
    http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/tackle-hate-crime
     
  • Opportunity to participate in developing new practice approaches to migration and cohesion challenges. The Community Development Foundation has recently published interim findings from their research into community development approaches to build cohesion in areas affected by migration from European accession countries: Migration and Cohesion: Community development responses. The briefing shows the important role played by Community Development practitioners in responding to tension in communities and also the practice challenges that they face. CDF is looking to take forward this work in four areas through working with frontline professionals to develop locally appropriate responses and strategies. If you know of any authorities/networks for which this programme would be of interest please contact Jess Mullen at jessica.mullen@cdf.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7812 1593. CDF are looking to identify a shortlist by the end of October with a view to commencing the programme of work towards the end of the year.
     
  • Go live date announced for phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system. On 17 September 2009 the UK Border Agency confirmed that phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system for immigration is set to go live on 5 October 2009. Phase 3 is the voluntary trialling period of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 sponsors. Press release:
    http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/september/go-live-date-announced-tier4
     
  • UK Border Agency launches online booking for appointments. You can now go online to book your appointment if (i) you want to apply in person and get a same-day decision at one of our seven public enquiry offices - this is called a 'premium application', and you will need to pay a higher application fee; or (ii) you have applied by post but you need to enrol your biometrics at one of 11 biometric enrolment centres so that you can get an identity card for foreign nationals as part of your immigration application .
     
  • Closure of Calais migrant camp - UK Border Agency response. The UK Border Agency has responded to an announcement by the French government that it will close down the illegal migrant camp in Calais known as 'the jungle' next week.
     
  • Regional Economic Performance: A Migration Perspective. Economics paper 4. The study draws on two pieces of work Oxford Economics has carried out for the Department of Communities and Local Government - Scenario Building for Local and Sectoral Economic Performance under Changing Net Migration, and The Economic Contribution of Migrant Labour to Regional GVA in England - as well as summarising the implications of a number of other studies carried out for the Department on the determinants and impacts of migration and how these are likely to change over time.
     
  • Frontex releases report on migration. The risk analysis report, compiled in close cooperation between Frontex, EU Joint Sit Centre, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) looks at the possible connection between the impact of the economic crisis and the decrease in the migratory pressure on the external borders of the European Union.
    Press release:http://www.frontex.europa.eu/newsroom/news_releases/art69.html

 

Week of 7th-11th September 2009

 

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Refugee Council briefing on the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act (September 2009). The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 introduced significant changes which affect refugees applying for naturalisation: once these sections are brought finally into law, planned for July 2011, most people will have a qualifying period of eight years (up from 5) before they can apply for citizenship. If they do some voluntary work, known as ‘active citizenship’, then this period of time will be reduced to six years.
     
  • Refugee Council briefing on Case Resolution (updated September 2009). The UKBA Case Resolution Directorate was established in 2006 to clear the backlog of asylum cases still outstanding from before the commencement of its New Asylum Model. It was estimated at that time that there were 450,000 cases to be resolved. A plan has been put in place to clear them all by July 2011.
     
  • Appointment of a Senior Immigration Judge. The Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Jack Straw MP, has appointed Designated Immigration Judge Christopher John Hanson to be a Senior Immigration Judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, based in the North Shields Region, with effect from 28 September 2009.
  • ECRE’s recommendations for the Stockholm Programme. ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles) presents its recommendations on the future Stockholm Programme in the field of asylum. The Stockholm Programme is an important opportunity for the EU to show that it wants to build a Common European Asylum System that effectively protects those fleeing persecution and violence and that sets the example for the rest of the world.


     
  • Migration
  • New controls help protect jobs for British workforce. A raft of new government measures will ensure that resident workers can have every opportunity to fill vacancies before they are offered to workers abroad, the Home Secretary announced on 7 September 2009. Following careful consideration, the government has accepted the recommendations made last month by the Migration Advisory Committee to tighten up the rules controlling when skilled workers are allowed to take jobs in the United Kingdom under the government's points-based system.
     
  • Migration and the Global Recession. The report explores how the recession has affected the movement of some of the world's more than 195 million migrants and their remittances in locations around the globe. It provides data on migration, remittances, employment, and poverty rates for immigrants and the native-born alike; and examines the policy changes some countries have enacted to suppress migrant inflows, encourage departures (including through recent "pay-to-go" plans), and protect labour markets for native-born workers. BBC News Global picture: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8238527.stm.
    Full report: http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/MPI-BBCreport-Sept09.pdf
     
  • Points-based system - revised sponsor change of circumstances form. The UK Border Agency has published a revised sponsor change of circumstances form. The sponsor change of circumstances form should only be used to report changes that cannot be reported via the sponsor management system. The new version of this form should be used from Monday 7 September 2009.
     
  • New visa route for Turkish businesspersons. The UK Border Agency has introduced a visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA). The route, which was opened today, will enable Turkish nationals who are outside the United Kingdom to enter the country in the Turkish ECAA business category. Previously, this category was open only to Turkish nationals who were already in the United Kingdom.
     
  • Changes to the Immigration Rules. The latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules was laid before Parliament on 9 September 2009. The changes will come into effect on 1 October 2009. Updated guidance for sponsors and applicants will be available on UK Border Agency website from 30 September 2009.
     
  • Changes to the law on citizenship - information for applicants. The UK Border Agency recently announced changes to British nationality law under the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. These changes will be commenced by January 2010.
     
  • Consultation on UK Border Agency charges. The UK Border Agency has launched a public consultation on the fees it charges for its immigration and visa services. The consultation is open for 12 weeks, until 1 December 2009. Online response form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2xlktW7khndYoYeNawAq4Q_3d_3d
    Paper response form: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/221878/charging09/charging-form?view=Binary
     
  • No One Left Out: Communities ending rough sleeping - Good Practice Notes: Developing a strategic response to prevent and tackle rough sleeping. These guidance notes are intended for local authorities who may traditionally not have experienced high numbers of people sleeping rough, or have in place significant levels of specialist provision, but who still need to adopt a strategic response to preventing rough sleeping.
     
  • Ending Rough Sleeping by 2012: A Self Assessment Health Check. Self assessment toolkit for local authorities to review with partners, what arrangements, interventions and services are in place and to assess their current capability to prevent and respond to existing levels of rough sleeping, and explore the need for additional interventions or a separate rough sleeping strategy.
     
  • EU-IMMINENT (Immigrants into Entrepreneurship) project website. The first e-zine is now available for the EU-IMMINENT project – a partnership project working across the EU to put together an online training programme on starting up a business for migrants. As well as giving an update on the progress of the project, we'd like the e-zine to be an opportunity to share perspectives on issues impacting on migrant entrepreneurialism, and to give an update on latest research and resources in this area.
  • Community Development Foundation - national survey of community development workers and their managers. In September 2009, CDF is conducting a national survey of community development workers and their managers. If you do community development work or manage community development, you can help us to build an accurate and informative evidence base. Your comments will be anonymous and used for this research purpose only. If you want to take part in the survey, please register an interest by emailing research@cdf.org.uk

 

Week of 31 August -3rd September 2009

 

    Asylum Seekers and Refugees

  • Asylum Immigration Tribunal’s determination on asylum seekers from Afghanistan. Recent determination by the Asylum Immigration Tribunal established that asylum seekers from Afghanistan that are either of Hazara ethnicity, Ismaili faith or associated with the Nadiri family would ordinarily be considered to be safe in Kabul unless Ismaili's own home area is known to be controlled by the Taliban. 3,505 asylum applications from Afghan nationals were received in the UK as at the end of 2008, positioning this country at the top of the list of asylum seekers sending countries.
     
  • Children in detention. Figures revealed by Home Office indicate that 235 children entered detention in the second quarter of 2009 solely under Immigration Act powers. This means that the number of children entering detention has doubled since the first quarter of 2009. Summing up the two quarters the figure raises to 470 minors detained. Press release:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/30/ministers-under-fire-immigrant-children
     
  • Refugee and Asylum Seeking Children’s Project Update September 2009. 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.
     
  • ECRE and UNHCR publish leaflet - “Asylum in Europe: Now, it’s up to you” On 31 August 2009, ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles) and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) published a leaflet entitled: ‘Asylum in Europe: Now, it’s up to you’. This leaflet was developed by ECRE and UNHCR following the elections of new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in June 2009. The leaflet includes an overview of EU asylum legislation and the main issues on the agenda in the coming months. Press release: http://www.ecre.org/EP
     
  • Eurasylum's Monthly Policy Interview. Each month Eurasylum conducts a short interview of a leading player in international migration and asylum affairs, within a range of policy, academic and practitioners’ areas of expertise. September interview with Mario Sepi, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on ’Assessment of recent EU immigration and asylum policy developments.

    • Migration

  • Temporary concession for students attending state-maintained schools on exchange or educational visits. Under a concession agreed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), students who are non-EEA nationals may apply to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months on an exchange or educational visit to a state-maintained school in the United Kingdom. They will not require entry clearance, unless they are nationals of countries who require a visa to enter the United Kingdom. This concession applies from 28 August until 31 December 2009, unless UKBA give further notification.
     
  • Who cares about the white working class? Runnymede Trust report. The Runnymede Trust has published a study on the white working class and ethnic diversity in Britain. Various commentators have recently put forward the idea that white working class communities are losing out, while minority ethnic groups and immigrants are the winners at the direct expense of the white working class. The report disputes these claims and suggests ways of discussing class which can lead to greater solidarity rather than further division. It argues that the current way class is used puts it in opposition to efforts to promote race equality, rather than creating a means of pursuing increased equality for all. Further information: http://www.runnymedetrust.org/projects/community-cohesion/white-working-class.html

 


Week of 24th-28th August 2009

 

 

Week of 3rd - 7th August 2009

 

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


Week of 16th to 20th February 2009

  1. No recourse to public funds (NRPF) network briefing February 2009.
  2. No Recourse to Public Funds: Financial Implications for Local Authorities.
  3. Royal College of GPs - Position Statement on Primary Care Access for Failed Asylum Seekers & Vulnerable Migrants.
  4. A Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
  5. UK Migration Controversies: A Simple Guide. T
  6. Homeless Link and the Advice on Individual Rights in Europe (AIRE) Centre - transitional arrangements.
  7. Homeless Link’s report on rough sleeping amongst Eastern and Central Europeans in London.
  8. Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organizations.
  9. The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) updates. .
     

    10. back to top

    Week of 9th-13th February 2009
     

  10. How to involve hard to reach children-guide
  11. What price does a refugee pay to reach Europe?
  12. Office for National Statistics (ONS) migrant worker employment statistics
  13. Proposed fee levels for visas and sponsor licences in 2009/10
  14. Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL] 2008-09
  15. Identity cards for foreign nationals to extend to further immigration categories
  16. New countries face tough visa rules
  17. Multilingualism brings communities closer together
  18. International Organisation for Migration (IOM) brief: The impact of the global financial crisis on migration

    19. Week of 2nd-6th February 2009

  19. The Gateway Protection Programme: an evaluation
  20. The potential of migrant and refugee community organisations to influence policy
  21. Empowering Birmingham’s migrant and refugee community organisations: Joseph Rowntree Foundation report
  22. Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) warns the UK government not to resort to protecting jobs in this country for UK workers
  23. Increase in foreign workers over past three years
  24. Evaluation of Partners Outreach for Ethnic Minorities: Interim report
  25. Online survey of the impact of ESOL policy changes

      26.  

    Week of 26th-30th January 2009

  26. Report suggests many are left in detention centre limbo
  27. HM Inspectorate of Prisons annual report 2007-2008.
  28. The Newsletter of the Asylum Support Partnership (ASP)
  29. Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR). T
  30. European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) adopts report on detention centres .
  31. UK Border Agency presentation on sponsor licensing. 
  32. Universities and colleges warned to sign up now to the new points system if they want to teach international students.
  33. Creating Spaces: Community development approaches to building stronger communities.

    34. Week of 19th-23rd January 2009

  34. UK National Audit Office (NAO): Report on Management of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency.
  35. UKBA Response to the National Audit Office report on management of asylum applications
  36. The impact of the recession on migrant labour -  LGA paper.
  37. Migrants and refugees among Council of Europe’s Commission for Human Rights - thematic priorities for 2009.
  38. Ethnicity and Family: relationships within and between ethnic groups - Equality and Human Rights Commission report.

    39. Week of 12th-16th January 2009

  39. 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.
  40. New resource for integrating refugee children and young people:
  41. Consultation on revised statutory guidance for local authorities on children missing from home or care.
  42. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) migrant worker website .
  43. Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill -first reading in the House of Lords
  44. Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill  comments from the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).

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    45. Week of 5th-9th January 2009

    1. Keeping children safe from harm new UKBA code of practice
    2. IAS case in Court of Appeal extends power of judiciary against that of Home Office with regard to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
    3. 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
    4. New policy on judicial reviews that challenge removals
    5. Early successes of the new points system for foreign workers
    6. Universities and colleges sign up to new system for foreign students
    7. Sources of resentment, and perceptions of ethnic minorities among poor white people in England
    8. Cohesion Delivery Framework: Overview
    9. 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


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