UK Immigration News

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.

A Labour MP has caused some controversy by suggesting that immigrants to the UK know more about the country than native Britons.

New figures released by the UK's Office for National Statistics show that 24% of babies born in the UK last year (2011) were born to women who were born outside the UK.

The ONS said that 'the increase in the proportion of foreign births to non-UK born mothers living in the UK illustrates how the demographic make-up of the UK is changing.' It added that understanding the patterns of childbearing among migrant populations was 'essential for planning services such as maternity provision and schools'.

The second chamber of the UK parliament, the House of Lords, debated a change to the UK's immigration rules on Tuesday 23rd October.

In June 2012, the UK government announced a range of changes to the immigration rules for non-European Economic Area nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK on the family migration route. The rules applied to new applicants from 9th July 2012 onwards.

The UK Border Agency's Criminal and Financial Investigation team conducted a series of raids in Yorkshire on 23rd October 2012. Four people were arrested on suspicion of people-trafficking offences. One of them was a lawyer who is a director of a law firm specialising in immigration.

As of summer 2012, those applying for British nationality from outside the UK must send their applications to the UK Border Agency in Liverpool, England for processing. It is no longer possible to submit applications in British High Commissions or Consulates in countries around the world.

The only exception to this rule is in Hong Kong where applications will continue to be accepted as before.