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In 2003-04, Australia had a net increase of 43,612 skilled workers, up from 29,375 two years earlier. The increase in professional jobs grew from 15,866 to 27,338 over the same period.
The UK government's new immigration bill released last week does not include a points system for immigration. Although ministers want a points system for economic migrants that would grant visas on the basis of skills, the details will be put out for consultation later in the summer. The scheme does not require a law change so is not included in the bill. It remains unclear how this may affect the existing Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which also works on a points-based system.
The UK Minister of State for Immigration today announced that the Sectors-Based Scheme (SBS) would stop operating in the hospitality sector, but would continue until June 2006 in the food processing sector.
Scotland's "Fresh Talent" initiative to entice foreign students to Scotland is "completely unjustified", according to the think tank Migrationwatch UK.
Migrationwatch UK said reports of Scotland's depopulation had been "exaggerated" and said the scheme could increase problems in England. Chairman Sir Andrew Green urged against a separate Scottish immigration policy.
The UK government has ended a short-term visa scheme for people working in Indian restaurants in the wake of an illegal immigration scam involving Bangladeshis. The move is likely to affect nearly 10,000 Indian restaurants in the country.
Indian restaurants had not been able to apply for visas for Bangladeshis for a year, when Bangladeshi workers had already more than filled their quota under the scheme. Had the scheme continued, Bangladeshis would have been able to qualify for a visa under the new quota.
In a tongue-in-cheek dig at the French fear of eastern European migrant workers, the Polish tourist board is using the image of a handsome plumber to promote Poland as a holiday destination.