The UK's managed migration document: What do you think?
17 October 2005
The UK recently released its managed migration document, and the government wants to know your opinion. Once you've reviewed the document (provided in the previous news story), please let us know how you would answer some of the UK government's questions:
Do the benefits of immigration outweigh its costs?
Can a managed migration system be used to deliver the UK the workers it needs?
Is the current system too complex and bureaucratic?
Should the users of the system, or the taxpayer, or both bear the costs of the immigration system?
Send us your thoughts.
Samantha, Canada (2005.10.28 15:34:28)
I just want to say that this immigration system would be the envy of other countries. The people who have written that this new immigration system is bad are perhaps the ones who will not qualify - so this is to the UK government: please don't judge the pros and cons by these selfish people who themselves can't qualify and hence abuse the system.
I just want to say that this immigration system would be the envy of other countries. The people who have written that this new immigration system is bad are perhaps the ones who will not qualify - so this is to the UK government: please don't judge the pros and cons by these selfish people who themselves can't qualify and hence abuse the system.
Andreea Mocanu, UK ( Romanian citizen) (2005.10.27 14:32:48)
Immigrants fill in jobs that are not covered by British Citiziens (construction, cleaning, care). I am a controlled immigrant, being self-employed and developping a small business in UK, I am a skilled tutor and have managerial experience. I do not have benefits from the British government and I do not want them, but I pay a lot of taxes in UK and spend the money I make in this country. Controlled immigration will definitely help the economy.
Immigrants fill in jobs that are not covered by British Citiziens (construction, cleaning, care). I am a controlled immigrant, being self-employed and developping a small business in UK, I am a skilled tutor and have managerial experience. I do not have benefits from the British government and I do not want them, but I pay a lot of taxes in UK and spend the money I make in this country. Controlled immigration will definitely help the economy.
Sree, UK (2005.10.26 11:19:55)
The letter by Chris Chuter is utterly baseless. In fact most immigrants especially the group he mentions (doctors and nurses) are highly educated and do speak good english..granted they have initial problems with the accent...does Chris know the drop out rates in UK medical schools and the shortages in work-force planning?...so it is important to take into account all these factors...also this class of people are honest, law abiding people often with both husband and wife working and PAYING the TAXES so someone else can enjoy...and think about all the Visa costs...so think before you write Mr. Chuter.
The letter by Chris Chuter is utterly baseless. In fact most immigrants especially the group he mentions (doctors and nurses) are highly educated and do speak good english..granted they have initial problems with the accent...does Chris know the drop out rates in UK medical schools and the shortages in work-force planning?...so it is important to take into account all these factors...also this class of people are honest, law abiding people often with both husband and wife working and PAYING the TAXES so someone else can enjoy...and think about all the Visa costs...so think before you write Mr. Chuter.
Ashish Kuruvilla, India (2005.10.24 15:37:24)
The recent migration system to be started will be a great one - perhaps it will be the best in the world. It has the right mix to get in the best yet filter the best. I guess other countries will be following this model when it is released.
The recent migration system to be started will be a great one - perhaps it will be the best in the world. It has the right mix to get in the best yet filter the best. I guess other countries will be following this model when it is released.
Chirag Parikh, India (2005.10.23 07:22:13)
Frankly speaking, recent UK immigration system is complex. They are looking for graduates with five years of experience and out of which 2 years at high position. At the same time, age criteria is also there, which is practically impossible. Every year they are changing their Fee Structure & modifying the criteria so a person who has already applied is suffering because they are not considering old application on priority so this application increases backlog. This should be revised.
Frankly speaking, recent UK immigration system is complex. They are looking for graduates with five years of experience and out of which 2 years at high position. At the same time, age criteria is also there, which is practically impossible. Every year they are changing their Fee Structure & modifying the criteria so a person who has already applied is suffering because they are not considering old application on priority so this application increases backlog. This should be revised.
Ewohimi Iboyi, Nigeria (2005.10.22 20:18:02)
Let us face the truth. I am widely travelled but I am looking for that EU country that gave a level playing field to Africans. There is none. Britain lead the way and others follow stupidly. I will quickly mention just a few. Banks in Europe are on the verge of stopping the opening of accounts for Africans. Africans are subjects to daily early morning raid all over Europe. Now, Africans' fingerprints are being obtained for the so called biometric data base. Africans in most cases are guilty even before charges are read. It is shameful and a far cry from civility and democracy, which most of Europe preaches. This should be urgent because any nation that will stand against Africa cannot stand. Signs are replete to show that an African Empire is in the making. So play safe and stop formulating inhumane polcicies. Creat a LEVEL playing field, then people will not cut corners. Corners are cut to stay within suffocating policy boundaries.It creates unnecessary and distractive work for the system emforcers too.
Let us face the truth. I am widely travelled but I am looking for that EU country that gave a level playing field to Africans. There is none. Britain lead the way and others follow stupidly. I will quickly mention just a few. Banks in Europe are on the verge of stopping the opening of accounts for Africans. Africans are subjects to daily early morning raid all over Europe. Now, Africans' fingerprints are being obtained for the so called biometric data base. Africans in most cases are guilty even before charges are read. It is shameful and a far cry from civility and democracy, which most of Europe preaches. This should be urgent because any nation that will stand against Africa cannot stand. Signs are replete to show that an African Empire is in the making. So play safe and stop formulating inhumane polcicies. Creat a LEVEL playing field, then people will not cut corners. Corners are cut to stay within suffocating policy boundaries.It creates unnecessary and distractive work for the system emforcers too.
Chris Chuter, Sussex (2005.10.22 16:33:51)
Immigrants cost the Gouvernment far to much money for the little that is benefited from them. I believe the only use for immigrants now is the NHS, the gouverment is too soft and gives away these jobs as nurses and doctors to people who may not speak English or have the UK education standard. I think that letting all these immigrants walk into the UK, get jobs, homes, medication ect for next to nothing is really bad. So MR. Blair tighten up on immigration and we wont suffer high unemployment, economic crashes, terrorist threats and im sure you will gain more trust and respect from british citizens.
Immigrants cost the Gouvernment far to much money for the little that is benefited from them. I believe the only use for immigrants now is the NHS, the gouverment is too soft and gives away these jobs as nurses and doctors to people who may not speak English or have the UK education standard. I think that letting all these immigrants walk into the UK, get jobs, homes, medication ect for next to nothing is really bad. So MR. Blair tighten up on immigration and we wont suffer high unemployment, economic crashes, terrorist threats and im sure you will gain more trust and respect from british citizens.
Buki James, Nigerian (2005.10.20 21:06:00)
I believe the British people and system have to protect its interest at the end of the day regardless of the complexity. they have to protect and provide for the people at home and foreigners, as the case may be. however i would rather a system that supports immigrants that really want to work legitimately in Britain. it is highly important to know that there are migrants that want to do legit. work and there are those that dont want to. the system should support those that want to work by providing temporary visas and if they are working, paying taxes and not be criminal they should be given a more permanenet status. i would suggest the system make it difficult for foreigners to claim benefits and lazy britons too. i would also rather applications were processed more quickly. its just not fair to deprive people of their rights of movement. things should be done more appropraitely by all parties concerned.
I believe the British people and system have to protect its interest at the end of the day regardless of the complexity. they have to protect and provide for the people at home and foreigners, as the case may be. however i would rather a system that supports immigrants that really want to work legitimately in Britain. it is highly important to know that there are migrants that want to do legit. work and there are those that dont want to. the system should support those that want to work by providing temporary visas and if they are working, paying taxes and not be criminal they should be given a more permanenet status. i would suggest the system make it difficult for foreigners to claim benefits and lazy britons too. i would also rather applications were processed more quickly. its just not fair to deprive people of their rights of movement. things should be done more appropraitely by all parties concerned.
KOLAPO MUDASHIRU, Nigeria (2005.10.20 13:55:08)
I think the UK government is doing a great job with the reform to the immigration rules. While the contributions of immigrants to the UK economy can not be over-emphasized and has been well documented, I think the government is right with the point system and should make the system more manageable and the highly skilled migrants will benefit from this.
I think the UK government is doing a great job with the reform to the immigration rules. While the contributions of immigrants to the UK economy can not be over-emphasized and has been well documented, I think the government is right with the point system and should make the system more manageable and the highly skilled migrants will benefit from this.
abidemi adiat, nigeria (2005.10.20 09:40:31)
Sincerely speaking, immigrants are the ones holding the British economy up till today, they are are the ones doing most jobs which most british citizens cannot do. The British goernment should be more flexible in their point calculation and the rules guiding immigration. You cannot underrate the contribution of immgrants to the British economy and it will be inhumane to let people come and work for you and refuse their family stay in the same country, they deserve some comfort.
Sincerely speaking, immigrants are the ones holding the British economy up till today, they are are the ones doing most jobs which most british citizens cannot do. The British goernment should be more flexible in their point calculation and the rules guiding immigration. You cannot underrate the contribution of immgrants to the British economy and it will be inhumane to let people come and work for you and refuse their family stay in the same country, they deserve some comfort.
Folu Paul, Nigeria (2005.10.20 08:12:04)
The cost outweighs its benefits.Most of the British citizens delibrately did not want to work, they prefer claiming all sorts of benefits, which immigrants don't do, rather it is these immigrants who work and pay tax to take care of all these so called benefits given to the citizens.
The cost outweighs its benefits.Most of the British citizens delibrately did not want to work, they prefer claiming all sorts of benefits, which immigrants don't do, rather it is these immigrants who work and pay tax to take care of all these so called benefits given to the citizens.
Nurlana, Azerbaijan (2005.10.20 05:11:33)
The main problem is in most cases attention is paid not to what a certain person is able do, but what passport he/she has. And at the end people with no skill or with no desire to work are settled in UK just because their passport gives them that right and use public funds, while really skilled people and who want to work and be part of society cannot receive work visa as they have no "right type" of passport.
The main problem is in most cases attention is paid not to what a certain person is able do, but what passport he/she has. And at the end people with no skill or with no desire to work are settled in UK just because their passport gives them that right and use public funds, while really skilled people and who want to work and be part of society cannot receive work visa as they have no "right type" of passport.
Sylvia Castillo, London (2005.10.19 21:30:47)
The government is making money with the new system (application fee) many people wait over 2 years to get an answer about their application. Particularly for people who are working in they UK and paying their taxes. Where is this money going? and if you decided to withdraw your application you have to re-apply and also pay another fee. Is this a joke or just making money for those who come to work to this country.
The government is making money with the new system (application fee) many people wait over 2 years to get an answer about their application. Particularly for people who are working in they UK and paying their taxes. Where is this money going? and if you decided to withdraw your application you have to re-apply and also pay another fee. Is this a joke or just making money for those who come to work to this country.
ADEGOKE KEHINDE AKEEM, NIGERIA (2005.10.19 19:35:37)
The system is too complex, your government wants to attract young minds from all over the world but they are making things unnessarily difficult. I am a Medical Microbiologist, a friend of my got a job with Anthony Nolan Trust, he was short listed for the position of Clinical Scientist and was dropped because he did not have a work permit when in actual sense he told them that he did not have it in the first instance before they short-listed him. It is unfortunate that you are frustrating Africans who are professionals.
The system is too complex, your government wants to attract young minds from all over the world but they are making things unnessarily difficult. I am a Medical Microbiologist, a friend of my got a job with Anthony Nolan Trust, he was short listed for the position of Clinical Scientist and was dropped because he did not have a work permit when in actual sense he told them that he did not have it in the first instance before they short-listed him. It is unfortunate that you are frustrating Africans who are professionals.
Jackie, England (2005.10.18 18:48:22)
Immigrant families and extended families are usually bigger than ours, so even if there is a breadwinner working, the wife traditionally stays at home, so additional benefits they claim make their contribution to our society negligable. We need a points system and a limit to extended families.
Immigrant families and extended families are usually bigger than ours, so even if there is a breadwinner working, the wife traditionally stays at home, so additional benefits they claim make their contribution to our society negligable. We need a points system and a limit to extended families.
Asantosh, Denmark (2005.10.18 14:19:01)
I think that UK should also target the highly skilled foriegners (with permanent residence) in the old EU countries. Some foreigners who fall within this group are not utilised at all because of discrimination. For example, the Danish system is good at committing every resource to train foriegners for free, but due to a high level of discrimination against foreigners the country does not benefit at all from this investment. In the end such skills become a waste because people with permanent residence are not allow to enjoy free movement of labour in the EU.
I think that UK should also target the highly skilled foriegners (with permanent residence) in the old EU countries. Some foreigners who fall within this group are not utilised at all because of discrimination. For example, the Danish system is good at committing every resource to train foriegners for free, but due to a high level of discrimination against foreigners the country does not benefit at all from this investment. In the end such skills become a waste because people with permanent residence are not allow to enjoy free movement of labour in the EU.
James, England (2005.10.17 20:27:52)
Immigrants do not bring the benefits Blair and his lackeys say they do. They take out of the money pot more than they put in i.e. Housing, medical treatment, benefits system, schooling their many children for free, interpreters' payments, extended relatives who are allowed in and contribute nothing, etc. The users of the system should definitely bear the cost that would cut asylum and immigration at a stroke if they knew they had to put their hands in their pockets.
Immigrants do not bring the benefits Blair and his lackeys say they do. They take out of the money pot more than they put in i.e. Housing, medical treatment, benefits system, schooling their many children for free, interpreters' payments, extended relatives who are allowed in and contribute nothing, etc. The users of the system should definitely bear the cost that would cut asylum and immigration at a stroke if they knew they had to put their hands in their pockets.
AMAL HETTIARACHCHI, SRI LANKA (2005.10.17 13:15:52)
Some points are really complex and violate human rights, such as Certificate of Approval, which a person has to wait for 3 months to get permission from Home Office to get married in the U.K.
Some points are really complex and violate human rights, such as Certificate of Approval, which a person has to wait for 3 months to get permission from Home Office to get married in the U.K.