Topical:
A Conservative MP introduced a bill to the House of Commons on Wednesday 31st October 2012, that would, if it became law, limit the numbers of EU citizens who could come to work in the UK. It is extremely unlikely that it will become law because the UK's Coalition government does not support it.
On Wednesday 31st October 2012, Lord Heseltine of Thenford, a former cabinet minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the UK delivered his report, entitled No Stone Unturned, to the UK government. Lord Heseltine was asked to prepare his report by the government and to recommend ways in which British business can become more competitive.
Lord O'Donnell, the former head of the UK's civil service, has criticised the Coalition government's immigration policy, saying that it is damaging the UK's economy.
Lord O'Donnell, formerly known as Sir Gus O'Donnell, retired last year after six years' service as Cabinet Secretary, (the title given to the head of the UK's civil service). He was then elevated to the House of Lords.
In his article, published in UK newspaper The Times today, Lord O'Donnell said that the government was 'shooting itself in the foot' over immigration by limiting immigration from outside the EU.
An Irish report on immigration finds that, even after the crash, immigrants are playing a vital role in the Irish economy. For Ireland to prosper, it must continue to be open to inward migration.
The report, Migrants and the Irish Economy, was written by economist Jim Power for The Integration Centre, an Irish not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting integration. Killian Forde, of The Integration Centre, said 'without a liberal visa regime, no multinationals would base themselves in Ireland.'
An economist has advised the United States government to increase immigration quotas in order to revive the economy.
Charles Kenny, a fellow at the Center for Global Development and the New America Foundation, says that the US needs more unskilled migrants to work in agriculture and other sectors. It also needs more skilled immigrants to work in high tech industries. It should also encourage foreign investors to immigrate to the US and encourage students who graduate from US universities to stay in the country.
On 28th October 2012, Australia's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, launched the Australian government white paper Australia in the Asian Century. The white paper lays out a comprehensive plan for Australian development in the next 13 years to see Australia take advantage of its position at the edge of Asia.