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The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) released a report showing that the United Kingdom's government, local authorities, and employers underestimate benefits that immigrants bring to the economy. Three beneficial effects that migrants bring to local economies: improving the 'skills mix' in an area, increasing an area's diversity, and changing the size and productivity of local areas in the UK. The IPPR said that employers benefit from diversity because diverse workforces tend to be more productive and creative, thus boosting business performance.

The United Kingdom's Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, rejected recent demands for a cap on the number of non-EU immigrants allowed to remain in Britain. A cross-party parliamentary group has called upon the government to slash the number of non-European Union migrants allowed to remain in Britain. The demands come after a recent Eurostat report estimated that the UK will have the highest population of the European Union -- 77 million -- in the next fifty years, mainly due to immigration.

The United Kingdom's Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) has announced that it is removing several English language tests from its approved list. Applications received from 12 September 2008 will NOT receive points for these tests; applications received on or before September 11th are not affected.

Individuals who used English language tests that are no longer on the approved list will be contacted and given 10 weeks to undertake an alternative English language test. People will have only one chance to take the alternative test.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) began accepting applications under the Canadian Experience Class, on 17 September 2008. The Canadian Experience Class visa allows certain temporary foreign workers and foreign graduates of Canadian colleges and universities to gain permanent residence in Canada, based upon their professional, managerial, and skilled work experience.

Applicants are also able to apply from within Canada under the Canadian Experience Class. People who have left Canada can also apply, so long as they do so within 1 year of leaving their job in Canada.