South West Migration Partnership
October 2012 Bulletin
Policy Announcements, Resources, Consultations and Research
Section 1: Migrant Workers
Section 2: Asylum Seekers & Refugees
Section 3: Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
Section 4: No Recourse to Public Funds
Section 5: Consultations
Section 6: Statistics
Migrant Workers
New forms for applications under the points-based system
UKBA have published new versions of the application forms used under the points-based system. The new forms are for applicants who are already in the UK, and should be used for any applications made, on or after 1 October 2012.
http://tinyurl.com/am5o2lp
New rules for migrants extending visas
UKBA have brought in new immigration rules for migrants extending visas under the points-based system. If people have limited leave to enter or remain in the UK and wish to extend their visa, they must apply within 28 days of their current visa expiring. Their application for further leave will be refused if they have overstayed your visa by more than 28 days when they apply.
http://tinyurl.com/9keys3q
Human trafficking gangs targeted by UK government
A report published by the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group (IDMG) on Human Trafficking shows that more work than ever before is being carried out both in the UK and internationally to prosecute criminals and stop trafficking gangs.
The IDMG Report shows that during the past two years, thousands of front-line professionals including border staff, police and healthcare staff have been trained to better identify, support and protect those vulnerable individuals who may be suffering abuse at the hands of traffickers.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/human-trafficking-report
Croatia to join the European Union in 2013
On the 18 October Government introduced to Parliament the European Union (Croatian Accession) Bill. The bill includes provisions for transitional access arrangements for Croatian nationals. Croatia is expected to join the European Union on 1 July 2013. Transitional arrangements will be introduced to restrict Croatian nationals' access to the UK labour market. Further info here:
http://tinyurl.com/c27rwgd
Asylum Seekers & Refugees
UKBA update on Syria Concessions
Attached below is a letter from Rob Jones, Head of Asylum Policy, with information on the concessionary approach to Syrian nationals in the UK who wish to extend their stay temporarily.
New report on Immigration and Asylum Services
Following a review by the Legal Services Board on the management of risk in the immigration advisory field, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has published a research note on immigration advice and services.
The research raised concerns in two areas: access to legal advice and quality of legal advice. The Panel has advised the approved regulators to carry out further research in these areas with the aim of gathering comprehensive and up-to-date information, and identifying how any problems or gaps found in these areas might best be tackled.
http://www.legalservicesconsumerpanel.org.uk/ourwork/consumersriskofdisadvantage.html
Review of Not-for-Profit Advice Services in England & new £65 million fund
The Cabinet Office has published a new report on not-for-profit advice services in England. The report aims to establish stronger collaborative working between government departments and the sector, both to plan for the impact of policy changes and to reduce avoidable demand for advice. Alongside this the Big Lottery Fund has launched the Advice Services Transition Fund.
The report can be downloaded here: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/not-profit-advice-services-england
Further details on the fund can be found here: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_advice_services_transition_fund.htm?regioncode=-uk
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
Inquiry launched into the human rights of unaccompanied migrant children and young people in the UK
The Joint Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Dr Hywel Francis MP, has launched an inquiry into the human rights of unaccompanied migrant children and young people in the UK, with a particular focus on those who are seeking asylum or have been the victims of trafficking. Further info on the inquiry can be found here:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news/human-rights-of-unaccompanied-migrant-children/
Study of Afghan Children Seeking Asylum in the UK
A new study from the University of Oxford indicates that about one-third of asylum-seeking Afghan children who arrive in the UK without their parents or a guardian are likely to experience symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The full report can be found here:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2012/121018.html
Family Tracing FAQs
Following an important recent case on the UK Government’s duty to try and trace the families of unaccompanied children, the Migrant Children’s Project have updated their FAQs on Family Tracing.
http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=faqs_family_tracing
No Recourse to Public Funds
NRPF Bulletin
The October 2012 issue of the National NRPF Network Bulletin is available here:
http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/bulletins/BulletinLibrary/October%202012%20Bulletin.pdf
NRPF Training events
The NRPF Network has two open access training dates for local authority practitioners coming up in London at a cost of £125 per participant (lunch included):
· 14th November 2012, Human Rights Assessments(Children, Families and Young People Leaving Care)
· 26th November 2012, Human Rights Assessments (Adults)
The NRPF Network also has one open access training date (half day) for voluntary sector practitioners coming up in London at a cost of £65 per participant:
· 28th November 2012, NRPF Training for the Voluntary Sector
For further details contact & 0207 527 7121
NRPF Connect Event - Resolving NRPF Cases through Better Data Sharing
This upcoming conference on the 6th December will explore the policy context of migration and social care and identify how NRPF Connect can improve services and outcomes for agencies and individuals/families & reduce costs of providing support.
NRPF Connect is a secure data sharing system for local authority adult social services and children’s services departments, and UK Border Agency (UKBA) teams working with migrants who have no recourse to public funds. Further details and how to book your free place here:
http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/events/Pages/default.aspx
Consultations
Call for evidence: MPs and peers launch inquiry into asylum support's effect on children
A group of cross-party MPs and peers have launched an inquiry into the way the asylum support system meets the needs of children and young people. The panel, led by former Children’s Minister Sarah Teather MP, will explore how children and young people are supported under the Home Office system for asylum seekers. The inquiry is supported by The Children’s Society and will take evidence from a range of stakeholders to build a clearer picture of whether the support is adequate to protect these children and young people’s welfare, in line with the government’s obligations.
The panel would like to hear from children, young people and families with experiences of the asylum support system, as well as from other agencies, experts and organisations working in this area. The deadline for receiving written evidence is Friday 7 December 2012. Please call Nadine Ibbetson on 020 7841 4400 (ext 3016) or email at for further information. A report will be published early next year.
OFQUAL announces consultation on changes to ESOL qualifications
OFQUAL, the agency responsible for overseeing academic and vocation qualifications in the UK, has announced a consultation on proposals to introduce a new ESOL qualification, called ESOL for Life in the UK.
The reform attempts to standardise the English language qualification around the Home Office's requirement for non-native English speakers to demonstrate a competence at the level specified in the current 'Life in the UK' test.
The deadline is 3rd December 2012. Full consultation documents available here:
http://comment.ofqual.gov.uk/esol-qualifications/
MAC launches review of Shortage Occupation Route
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has launched a call for evidence on their review of the shortage occupation lists and their assessment of whether creative occupations should continue to be included in Tier 2 of the points based system.
The call for evidence document seeks views and evidence from corporate partners to help the MAC respond to the Government's commission. The document also sets out some initial dates for meetings with interested parties and includes details of how to respond to the MAC. The deadline for responses is 30 November 2012.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/
MAC call for evidence on the impact of ending employment restrictions for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania on the agriculture and food processing sectors
The MAC has launched a new call for evidence for their review of the impact of ending the employment restrictions on nationals of Bulgaria and Romania on the agriculture and food processing sectors. At the end of 2013, the transitional restrictions on access to the UK labour market for Bulgarian and Romanian workers will be removed and the current Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) and Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) will close. Evidence deadline is 18th January and further details can be found here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/
Statistics
Children entering detention August 2012
The Home Office has released monthly management information for August on children entering detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/child-detention-aug2012
Any questions or comments about this bulletin - please get in touch.
Don Wallace
Policy Officer
Tel: 01823 425268
South West Migration Partnership