Migrants to face tougher work rules

The Financial Times are reporting today how the government are planning to cut the number of skilled workers migrating to the UK from outside Europe by 10%.

The FT believes the measures are aimed at addressing British workers’ fears of being “undercut during the recession while avoiding tougher restrictions that would have upset business.”

The Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, will announce that he is accepting all 16 proposals made by the Migration Advisory Committee to tighten “tier two” of the government’s point-based immigration system.

These include extending the period a job has to be advertised in a local Jobcentre Plus before it can be filled by a migrant worker from one or two weeks to a minimum of four weeks.

The government’s descision has caused some frustration to many and reveals how confusing it has been over migrant workers.

Prior to leaving the government, Jacqui Smith, the former home secretary, had asked the committee to consider restricting tier two to occupations with “a shortfall of British or EU workers”, which would have cut numbers more dramatically.

Critics of the scheme, such as a Sir Andrew Green, from Migration Watch, have previously said: “It is absurd for the Government to describe this points based scheme as ‘tough’.”

John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI employers’ organisation, told the FT: “Some businesses have been frustrated by the government frequently moving the goalposts on immigration, and we hope these proposals will encourage stability so that employers can plan ahead.”

Migrants to face tougher work rules – The Financial Times

Also see: The ”sham” of British jobs for British workers 

BNP names leak fine “not enough”

Christopher Graham said penalties under the Data Protection Act were “pathetic” and urged tougher laws by next April.

His comments came after a judge said it was “ridiculous” he could only fine a former British National Party activist for leaking its membership list online.

On the case of Matthew Single, who leaked the BNP’s members list, the Information Commissioner said it was “not enough”.

Mr Graham is preparing a dossier to present his case to ministers.

While the BNP’s concern over this issue is legitimate. The amount of upset some members of the BNP suffered for being members of the party was unfair, and potentially very dangerous. However, the leak has raised some questions about the transparency of the BNP as an organisation. It membership rules – to-date- are for “whites only”. It has failed to properly comply with the Electoral Commission over its donations. And many of its events remain for members only (mainstream party’s hold events open to the public). If the BNP want to be treated as a mainstream party, they should start acting like one.

BNP names leak fine “not enough” – BBC

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1950s Britain, Newcastle upon Tyne.

In the debate on migration, last week’s announcement by the Government’s Migration Advisory Panel (MAP)  that migrant workers displace Britons was a positive step forward.

However, governments must try harder to address the bona fide anxieties (cultural, social and economic) of ordinary, hard working voters. Otherwise there’s a risk of driving decent people of all backgrounds into the hands of hate filled political extremists, whose only offer are simple solutions to deeply complex issues.

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