09 September 2008

British panel: fixed migration rates are needed in the UK

British legislators are planning to introduce new limits on UK immigration so that the population can be kept under control.

Two ex-ministers of the British government will be leading the panel, which is hoped to restrict the rate of immigration and fix the limit of the number of non-European citizens who settle permanently in Britain.

In a press release this week, Frank Field, a former welfare minister from the governing Labour party detailed the findings of a report titled "Balanced Migration - A New Approach to Controlling Immigration."  Field states the aim of the panel is to bring closer together the rates of UK immigration and emigration.

"The unprecedented wave of immigration that Britain has experienced over the past decade or so has undoubtedly brought gains to some sections of the community," Field said.  "The Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration will ensure that the voice of working class people is heard in the public debate."

Citizens in EU countries are free to work and live throughout the EU.  All other nationals wishing to move to the UK need to apply for a Tier 1 (General) Skilled Migration program or a Work Permit to work for a British employer.  For Commonwealth nationals, the UK provides extra options to work in the UK, including a UK Working Holiday Visa and Ancestry Visa.

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The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in UK visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, UK Visa Bureau.