UK: Brown unveils tougher immigration rules

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/nov/12/gordon-brown-announces-new-immigration-rules?CMP=AFCYAH

I need enlightenment.

How does this address the great influx from the EU?

It doesn't. 

I need enlightenment.

How does this address the great influx from the EU?

Influx from EU isn't immigration, therefore it is not addressed. Enlightened? 

I need enlightenment.

How does this address the great influx from the EU?

It doesn't because it can't.

Just panders to the continuing wider ignorance of the British public.

Though curious to see what the measures on student visas will be...as much as I found the 20hrs/wk restriction annoying, I know that it gets abused A LOT and is often how overstayers seeking to settle 'sneak in'.  We'll see.

Just panders to the continuing wider ignorance of the British public.

Though curious to see what the measures on student visas will be...as much as I found the 20hrs/wk restriction annoying, I know that it gets abused A LOT and is often how overstayers seeking to settle 'sneak in'.  We'll see.

Same...especially after reading this: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/november/bogus-students-pbs

Read this article yesterday in the Times.  However, they had loads of statistics listed alongside the article, and some of them I felt really tried to push anti-immigration sentiments, my first time reading the paper and really feeling the bias.


ETA: My first time reading the Times and feeling a bias.  I've read loads of other papers before that you can easily see where their writers stand.

Same...especially after reading this: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2009/november/bogus-students-pbs

Oh, I doubt that UKBA know about it and have been trying to crack down, but (and this is the lamest evidence ever, I realise) it seems like a LOT of the overstayers you see on the TV show about UKBA initially came on a student visa, never did their course, worked full-time and overstayed.  I think a lot of people see it as the easiest visa to abuse, since you can bring your family with relatively little hassle and disappear once you make it into Britain.

(I'm saying this as someone who had 2 student visas and worked during both of them, so obviously not saying all students are like this by any means!!)

Oh, I doubt that UKBA know about it and have been trying to crack down, but (and this is the lamest evidence ever, I realise) it seems like a LOT of the overstayers you see on the TV show about UKBA initially came on a student visa, never did their course, worked full-time and overstayed.  I think a lot of people see it as the easiest visa to abuse, since you can bring your family with relatively little hassle and disappear once you make it into Britain.

(I'm saying this as someone who had 2 student visas and worked during both of them, so obviously not saying all students are like this by any means!!)

I empathize, as I'm a student as well

"An official review will look at raising the minimum level of course for which foreign students can get a visa, introducing mandatory English language tests and blocking overseas students from working part-time in temporary jobs that could be filled by young Britons."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/12/noneuropeans-shutout-from-skilled-jobs

I'm worried now. I don't like where this is going.

yes i have just applied to universities and this is freaking me out!! I just want to get my education and work part time to help our expensive fee's! This is crap!

*i dont know if i would be able to study overseas if the Part time work was taken out the equation. They might want to think about the negative effects that come with such a thing.

I hate to tell you, but I think that's part of the plan, to limit the number of higer ed spaces for international students.   There were many UK students that were unable to enter Uni last year due to space shortages, and I've heard a few times (on TV news and the paper) that they're attributing part of this to the high numbers of international students.

and blocking overseas students from working part-time in temporary jobs that could be filled by young Britons

If they'd climb off the social welfare bandwagon long enough, that is.

I hate hate HATE the argument that "immigrants are taking our jobs" because it's just a scaremongering statement. 

I hate hate HATE the argument that "immigrants are taking our jobs" because it's just a scaremongering statement. 

True true.  Employers will offer jobs to whoever is the most qualified.  So sorry if immigrants are more qualified for a certain job than a citizen.  Not our fault.

I hate to tell you, but I think that's part of the plan, to limit the number of higer ed spaces for international students.   There were many UK students that were unable to enter Uni last year due to space shortages, and I've heard a few times (on TV news and the paper) that they're attributing part of this to the high numbers of international students.

But at the same time, they're always harping on about recruiting more international students, because they're a cash cow for universities.