BritCits

Today's links

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration ( https://twitter.com/APPGMigration ) tweets :

'There's been a massive rush in the last week to submit evidence to our family migration campaign. Have you submitted?' http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry

For those affected by the rules - this is a really important initiative. It's your chance to get your story out to parliamentarians who are representing us, so that they can represent us better!

Here's why : http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/first-thing-do-year-respond-appg-family-migration-inquiry

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How the government breaks up British families.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/talking-politics/government-breaks-british-families-120449742.html

An article about one Andy (who we have written about before : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/andy ) makes it onto Yahoo News.

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/andy-my-poor-boys.html

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One of our Freedom of Information requests has got a response. Although, unsurprisingly, it needs further clarification as the numbers don't add up.

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/non_eu_spouses_of_british_citize

'Please advice on the following, in relation to non-EU spouses of
British citizens and the new 'rules' brought in with effect from
9th July:

'a) How many non-EU spouses have applied for a spouse visa since 9th
July 2012 under the new rules (not 8th July, 9th July)

'b) Of the total number of non-EU spouses who have applied for a
spouse visa since 9th July 2012 under the new rules,
how many, by a date specified by you in your response, have been i)
approved ii)refused and iii) are pending?'

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Debating the foundations for the new mainstream consensus on migration policy.

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/01/debating-foundations-new-mainstream-consensus-migration-policy

'...Everyone concerned with developing a frank, informed discussion on this topic should welcome the start that IPPR has made with this paper. Whether or not the invitation to contribute to debate on these points is taken up by those operating in the political mainstream, it has the potential to operate as an ethical check-list for others who are putting forward their viewpoints on what needs to be done to ensure that policy is fair and democratic....'

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https://twitter.com/IanAustinMP tweets: 'Interesting stat-fact from Roland Rudd: less than 0.06% of Poles who came to Britain claimed benefits '

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The Real UK Citizenship Test : http://realcitizenshiptest.co.uk/quiz.php?n=1

'What is the correct response when someone drops a tray in the middle of a canteen?

- Laughter?
- Applause?
- Offer help cleaning up?'

Via https://twitter.com/SalCardiff

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 Ex-Windsor based soldier hands back medals.

http://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/01/18/85946-exwindsorbased-soldier-hands-back-medals/

'In a letter to Prince Charles explaining his decision, Mr Balewai stated: "I feel I can no longer accept my medals. I received them with honour and with great sadness they have now become meaningless." After leaving the Army in June, the father of two British-born children was denied British Citizenship by the UK Border Agency because of an Army conviction recorded by his Commanding Officer in April 2011, which served as a warning following a fight with a fellow soldier. '

Background on this from a few months ago : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18940236 . Very happy that this campaign got a positive result.

Isimeli Baleiwai's Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/280555062052017/?ref=ts&fref=ts
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