Teather, Rogerson, Beith and Huppert speak against new family migration rules

http://www.libdemvoice.org/teather-rogerson-beith-and-huppert-speak-against-new-family-migration-rules-35026.html

Last week I wrote about a new report, contributed to by Liberal Democrats Sarah Teather and Sally Hamwee, which outlined the heartbreak and suffering the new family migration rules are causing. The income threshold of £18,600 with extra for each child, and the narrow methods by which this is calculated is stopping many people from being able to live with their spouses in this country.

Earlier this week, four Liberal Democrat MPs took part in a Westminster Hall debate to try to persuade Home Office minister Mark Hunter of the inequity of these plans. Here are some extracts from their speeches...

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Response from me (in the comments) :

Median income (i.e. income for the average person, as opposed to 'mean' income - the average calculated by adding everyone's income together and divided by the population) is pretty close to the £18,600 mark. As Migration Observatory have shown, around 47% of the UK's working population now cannot bring in a non-EEA spouse ( see: http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/press-releases/women-young-people-and-non-londoners-are-most-affected-changes-family-migration-polic ). That's in addition to the discrimination against women, the regions and certain ethnic groups implicit in the rules.

It's not far from a rule which says - poor people can't marry. Or, poor people must emigrate (the argument 'why don't you leave then' is sometimes trotted out - somewhat reminiscent of transportation in the 19th century).

That's quite apart from the evidential requirements. Navigating the bureaucracy and hostility of the British immigration system, with all the costs entailed (legal, language tests, applications etc) is difficult enough. If you look at the access to Legal Aid being removed, the proportion of people unable to be with their spouses - in the country of their birth - is far higher than 47%.

The rules have nothing to do with balancing the books (in fact, serious research tends to point to the economic benefits of migration). It is about reducing numbers - Cameron promised to reduce net immigration below 100k, without thinking about how he would control net emigration, and there is a general scramble to attack the innocent to meet this - families, students, and so on. With all the social and economic and international damage caused to the UK.

It is also - apart from an attack on immigration - an attack on the nature of citizenship itself. British -citizens- - many with family roots in the UK going back centuries - now cannot bring in their partner from anywhere outside the EEA - including countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and so on. I would almost go so far as to say that the attack on -citizens- that it represents is unprecedented, and deeply personal.

True liberals need to be aware of what is being done in their name.

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(One more point - non-EEA spouses have the words 'No recourse to public funds' stamped into their passports or visas. So, no benefits for them - the rules have -no- effect on the benefit bill. On the other hand they all pay tax - through VAT if nothing else).

Update to Kirsty's story via Facebook

My hubby got his visa!!!!!

Thank you so much everyone, I am so excited to begin our life as a normal married couple, just in time for our 1st wedding anniversary

Ethan

“My parents are living in the most appalling conditions, when I could easily provide them with a better life, living with me....”

Ethan is a British citizen living in the constituency of Redbridge. He has lived in the UK for over 10 years, never having claimed any benefits. His brother incidentally is also a British citizen. He does however have two loving, if elderly and frail parents in Guyana. His only other sibling is a sister who lives in the USA but does not have the means to support their parents.

His parents are wholly, including financially, dependent on their two sons – sons they worked hard all their life in the hope of their having a better life than their own. Unfortunately, his parents also suffer from ill-health. Ethan’s dad is diabetic, and his mum has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and high cholesterol. She recently suffered a stroke, luckily a mild one.

Ethan is saddened that due to work and financial commitments, neither he, nor his brother can spend long periods away from the UK. And so he is being deprived from spending valuable time with his parents, who he is otherwise able to fully support in the UK from his own income..he does not need to claim benefits for himself, nor will he need to with them here.

His parents are not alone in Guyana. They are living with Ethan’s aunt in a one-bedroom property. While his aunt is nice, she isn’t able to provide the care for his parents the way he could, would and should. Third party care in Guyana is extremely expensive and anything affordable would deem that without immediate family that is able to keep an eye on things, they won't be treated well. (Often enough we hear of our elderly in homes being mistreated..imagine that a long flight away!)

How can you justify to your parents, let alone yourself, why when you are able to look after them in the UK, have them living with you while they still have time, you fob the responsibility for their wellbeing to someone else. It’s not just about sending money overseas. It’s about being able to sit and talk about your day. Have a laugh together. Hold their hand. Smaller things make the bigger differences.

Ann and Craig

http://migrantsrightsscotland.org.uk/?p=3822

Craig is a Scotsman from the Highlands. Ann is a young Chinese woman who has relatives in the North but her life was in Hong Kong.

On one of her visits here, Ann met Craig and over six years ago, they got married in Inverness. They hadn’t planned to stay in Scotland as Craig had secured a teaching job in Hong Kong.  They left right after the wedding to start their lives together and Ann continued in her employment there.

Early in 2012, Craig and Ann decided to return to Scotland, not realizing the immigration conditions were in the process of change. The English language test was already a requirement so Ann made sure she took it, as she needed to take it in the country of origin. She passed. The couple gave up their apartment, sold their things and both left their jobs, hoping to start afresh in Scotland, perhaps even start a family.

Since Ann and Craig got back in October 2012, their lives have been a nightmare.

As a British citizen, Craig had had no idea his relationship would be under such scrutiny, that his marriage would be judged so severely judged. His hope to return ‘home’ has put their lives in a precarious position. Craig has not been able to find work. He is training to be a hazardous substances lorry driver as it is the only thing he can find, but he is not guaranteed work. In any event, he is unlikely to reach the required £18,600 minimum income to satisfy the UK Border Agency when applying for Ann’s visa to remain here.  Ann’s potential to earn is not even considered. They are currently living with Craig’s parents.

Ann and Craig face a stressful, uncertain few months ahead. In 2013, she will have to leave when her current visa expires. There are no easy solutions for Ann, except in UKBA terms, family separation. In a civilized country, they can have no expectation of a private, family life any time soon.
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"A civilised country should not be separating people who married in good faith and have their future ahead of them": Joan Ruddock MP
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At the People's Assembly yesterday, Guy Taylor of https://twitter.com/JCWInews made a fantastic speech on the Divided Families Campaign and promoted Divided Families Day on 9th July.
Be there!
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/whats-coming-up-26th-june-public.html

The assembled throng :
https://twitter.com/GuidoTallman/status/348415588785344512/photo/1

https://twitter.com/GuidoTallman :
#pplsassembly think we had 4 top table speakers and 18 contributions from the floor in immigration / racism session at #pplsassembly :)

https://twitter.com/trillingual :
Good #pplsassembly speech by @GuidoTallman calling on left to be less timid confronting racism in immigration system. Shame not more of this
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https://twitter.com/UK_HumanRights :
Lord Brown: We do not, indeed must not, outlaw unpopular minorities—prisoners, asylumseekers, immigrants—we must not outlaw even the wicked.

https://twitter.com/sjplep :
Quote from #pplsassembly session on immigration yesterday : 'Lynton Crosby is a migrant worker. Rupert Murdoch is a migrant worker!'
#wicked

https://twitter.com/GuidoTallman :
although true for Crosby, not sure how Murdoch can be labelled 'worker' in any sense!

https://twitter.com/MigrantVoiceUK :
so is the head of the Royal Mail and the Bank of England - Canadians!

https://twitter.com/sjplep :
Head of BoEngland's wife is cool. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9704385/New-Bank-of-England-Governor-Mark-Carneys-wife-an-eco-warrior-who-says-banks-are-rotten.html
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Would an independent Scotland have a different immigration policy?

http://migrantsrightsscotland.org.uk/?p=2205

In a sense, the more extreme demographic circumstances in Scotland have made more widely apparent what has already been recognised in many cities in central and northern England and in Wales, where asylum dispersal has brought benefits and local authorities have tried to ensure that refugees remain and don’t drift to London.

It’s a message that rarely gets across, and of course is anathema to pressure groups like Migration Watch and has never been championed by senior politicians in Whitehall.  Perhaps those of us with an interest in changing migration policy in the UK should campaign for an independent Scotland, and look forward to the benefits of a more modern policy becoming evident in a few years time, north of the border?
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https://twitter.com/MigRightsScot :
Trafficked into the UK are victims, not criminals
http://www.channel4.com/news/child-trafficking-victim-crime-judge-cannabis-prostitution
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Asylum seekers: nowhere boys.

Around 1,200 children arrived in Britain seeking asylum last year – often alone, and after long, harrowing journeys hidden in freezers or under lorries. We find out what happened next

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jun/22/asylum-seekers-nowhere-boys?CMP=twt_gu
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VISITORS from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other “high risk” countries in Asia and Africa will be forced to pay a £3,000 cash bond before they can enter Britain.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/National/article1277753.ece

From November, a pilot scheme will target visitors from seven countries who will have to pay the government a form of cash guarantee or deposit to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Europe/UK-plans-visa-bonds-for-high-risk-Asians-Africans/Article1-1080934.aspx
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http://globalvoicesonline.org/ chronicles our changing times from a global perspective. Check in with them.

Primary documents and the APPG

Selected submissions to the APPG inquiry of immigration and family life. Mirrored from :
http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry/written-evidence

BritCits : http://www.scribd.com/doc/149254237/appg-britcits

'All parties claim families form the bedrock of a strong and stable society. However, rules brought in by a government we did not elect, fail to recognise the basic right of families to live together under one roof.This is a right which should never be violated, certainly not in a country purporting to be a democracy.'

Family Immigration Alliance : http://www.scribd.com/doc/149254301/appg-fia (main website : http://familyimmigrationalliance.wordpress.com/ )

Lucy : "My partner will not be able to join me until I am earning £18,600, which could  be up two years away for me. He will not be able to support me and be there for our child as I qualify [to be a teacher]. A scary prospect for me and a sad one when I think of how his and our baby’s relationship will be affected. We talked about extending the length of time that we spend visiting each other; 6 monthshere and 6 months there for the next 2 years but of course that will cost money and as a single parent and a student I don’t know how I’m going to be able to earn the sort of money that we will need  and I won’t be able to spend long periods outside of the country whilst training to become a teacher."

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants :  http://www.scribd.com/doc/149254379/appg-jcwi (main website : http://www.jcwi.org.uk/ )

'Through our legal casework and in our campaigning we are aware of dozens of cases of children separated from one parent, a further financial strain imposed on families who areunable to live as one family unit (paying two rents etc.). This often makes saving impossible or difficult for those wishing to make up any income shortfall.'

'There are markedly more women finding difficulty in raising the required minimum income, either through low paid jobs or because of childcare commitments. We are representing a young woman whose spouse has been refused a visa to the UK. She has a young baby son, isexperiencing health problems and is struggling to care for their baby, let alone try to earn£18,600.The impact on this family, especially the child in question is immense, whereas the impact on society would be far less if her husband were to be allowed a visa.'

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The Hansard for the Westminster Hall debate on the family migration rules, 19 June 2013.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/149254473/Hansard-19-Jun-2013

Mirrored from :
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130619/halltext/130619h0001.htm#13061971000001

'It was described to me by one lawyer as a ban masquerading as a rule...' - Sarah Teather.

'There are so many people in my constituency in Lewisham, Deptford, in London who are getting only the minimum wage. I have a case of a woman whose husband cannot be reunited with her. She is a support worker, which is a valuable job in the community, on £12,800 a year. She is on the minimum wage and fully legal, but she cannot bring in her husband. Surely that cannot be fair.'
- Joan Ruddock

'It is clear that jobs and the income from those jobs are not relevant when families are forced to live apart. The income requirement would exclude almost half the UK working population from living with their husbands or wives if they were from outside the EEA. That seems unfair. Should they have to move overseas? We heard from a number of families whose child care commitments prevented them from relocating overseas, or who had other caring duties in the UK—for example, for elderly parents—that meant that the family had compelling reasons to wish to settle in the UK.'

'In addition, we heard from a number of hard-working, tax-paying British citizens who were determined that being effectively forced out of their own country should not be the only way in which they could live with their spouse and children. I think most of us would have the same reaction, were we in that situation.'
- Virendra Sharma

'The response of a number of people in my constituency has been simply to leave the country. '
- Julian Huppert

'To help the Minister appreciate how we, as constituency MPs, are being affected, I want, without mentioning names, to highlight some of the cases that have been brought to me in recent weeks. One constituent grew up in my area and has been living in Canada. She is now in a permanent relationship with someone in Canada. They both have skills and want to bring them to this country, but they cannot come here together. Given the industry in which they work, and given the wages in places such as north Cornwall, there is no way they can come here and meet the threshold. They would be able to live without recourse to benefits because they would have access to housing and so on, but they cannot meet the threshold. Effectively, someone who wants to return to Cornwall will be unable to do so, and she will have to stay in Canada. '
- Dan Rogerson

'Last week in my constituency, I was told of a young woman who has been forced to take three jobs to try to meet the income requirement and bring in her spouse.'
- Kate Green

'It is important to understand that we are not talking just about poorly paid, poor-quality, low or entry-level jobs. The inquiry committee heard evidence from the Royal College of Nursing that health care workers can typically earn between £14,153 and £17,253, so they would be below the income threshold of £18,600. Pay levels in many other sectors, such as retail, security, administration and customer service, and in the public sector, are likely to mean people will not meet the threshold. That is unfair to UK sponsors, many of whom have lived here all their lives—people who are British-born, of British families—who cannot fulfil the income requirement. Those people make a valuable contribution to the economy and provide services that we all depend on. They are being told, in effect, that they cannot carry on living in their own country with their spouse. They are shocked and surprised to find that out.'
- Kate Green

'...However, I have raised the issue privately with the Minister; an individual working full time on the minimum wage would be below the threshold set. The test set by the Prime Minister was that people should be doing their best. Preventing someone who has taken a full-time job that only commands the minimum wage from bringing a partner with whom they have fallen in love into the country seems to me to fail the test of fairness.'
- Gavin Barwell

'I referred earlier to a constituent of mine whose wife is Canadian. I want to fill in a few points about his case. His wife had the right to be in this country; she had taught here for three years. He was a high earner. The two of them established a relationship that led to marriage. They went on honeymoon to Canada completely unaware of the rules, and he, unfortunately, had been made redundant. They were shocked. He wrote an e-mail to me, which I have just received, saying, “Can you imagine a worse way to start your married life?”'
- Joan Ruddock
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The APPG report itself :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/147871600/APPG-Family-Migration-Inquiry-Report-Jun-2013

The stories below highlight the sheer range and diversity of those affected by the rules - people of many cultural backgrounds, including those whose families have been in Britain since time immemorial; and all income levels. The one thing they all have in common is that the government is seeking to separate them from those they love - in many cases by offering a false choice :

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/more-stories-and-excerpts-from-report.html

Chen

“My mother would not be a burden on the state…she has enough financial savings of her own to buy a property and pay for private medical cover in the UK. She just wants to not be alone any more.”

Chen is a British citizen. He moved to the UK in 2000 from Beijing as a student. His family supported him by paying for his tuition fees and living expenses for the entirety of his student years.

Chen is one of the crème de le crème international students the government is keen to ensure continue coming to the UK – after graduating from university, Chen received a job offer which he accepted. After several years of working, paying taxes and NI contributions, Chen became a naturalised British citizen.

Chen’s mother is alone in China. She is retired and wishes to join her son. An accident has left her disabled and unable to walk unhindered. Her ex-husband, Chen’s stepfather was abusive leading to their divorce. Chen’s mother has recently decided she’d like to no longer be alone and would prefer to live with her son – her only child.

Chen understands people's concerns on the ever increasing public burden on NHS and other public sector facilities. (Note - Nursing Standard : ‘There would be no NHS without the contribution of immigrants’
- http://nursingstandard.rcnpublishing.co.uk/news-and-opinion/analysis/there-would-be-no-nhs-without-the-contribution-of-immigrants ). However, this will not be the case for his family. His mum was a bookkeeper for a large state-owned company in China, with a great salary and fantastic benefits. As she never lived outside her means, she managed to have good savings. She even owns a property outright, without any outstanding mortgage. She's quite happy to sell her place and use the money to buy a property here.

She is also more than capable of using her savings to sign up for private health care.

She would not be a burden on the society as some people perceive. However, the new immigration rule sets up the criteria that simply nobody would qualify. (Note - 'A ban masquerading as a rule' : http://www.jcwi.org.uk/blog/2013/06/20/westminster-debates ).

Chen is frustrated that it’s because he is a British citizen he is being denied the right to have his mother join him in the country of his nationality. Non-EU elderly immigrants took up a miniscule portion of the total immigration number even under the previous rules and so denying people the right to look after their parents is not going to solve any of the perceived immigration ‘problems’ either.

It’s clear to Chen that this is just yet another political manoeuvre that will serve to help no one, least of all Brits and our country.

Written submissions

https://twitter.com/migrants_rights :
You can now find written evidence submissions to the @APPGMigration Family migration Inquiry online

http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry/written-evidence

BritCits :
http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/sites/default/files/BritCits.pdf

Family Immigration Alliance :
http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/sites/default/files/Family%20Immigration%20Alliance.pdf

JCWI :
http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/sites/default/files/Joint%20Council%20for%20the%20Welfare%20of%20Immigrants.pdf

Good work.
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https://twitter.com/JCWInews :
Asian Network Tues 5pm or Newsnight later the same evening - a piece JCWI have been working on pic.twitter.com/3ePNji09VU

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Family migration rules lack 'basic common sense'.

http://bma.org.uk/news-views-analysis/news/2013/june/family-migration-rules-lack-basic-common-sense

New rules on family migration are ‘inhumane and lacking in basic common sense’, an MP told a parliamentary debate.

The work of the BMA in highlighting the impact of the rule changes on the NHS and individual doctors was also highlighted in the Westminster Hall debate this week.

The association gave evidence to the APPG (all-party parliamentary group) on migration, raising concerns about the workforce implications of the rule changes that affect senior doctors in the NHS.

Earlier this month, the APPG published its inquiry report, calling for a review of the rules.

Under the July 2012 rule changes, relatives of British citizens have to demonstrate they need long-term personal care that could only be provided by their relatives in the UK, and without recourse to public funds.

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
@TheBMA speaks out against UK's family #immigration rules and their disastrous impact on @NHSChoices Are you listening @ukhomeoffice?
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The Divided Families Campaign :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTK7RMZcXmk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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https://twitter.com/KateGreenSU :
We need a full review of the impact of the new #familymigration rules on families and the public purse.
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https://twitter.com/GavinBarwellMP :
Many aspects of society would be unrecognisable without the contributions that immigration has made:
http://www.gavinbarwell.co.uk/blog.asp?BlogID=785
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Smoke engulfs Singapore : http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=81431

Andrea - via email

'My daughter lived in Thailand for seven years - working, and met her husband. We had a great family wedding in Thailand - loads of us went from the UK.

'A year or two later she came home to have her baby. They got a 'NO' decision for her husband's visa when she was 7/8 months pregnant.

'She and he are desperate to live together in the UK with us. We have a large really close family and my daughter wants her husband and now son to be a part of that - and why not? Well, because the government is dictating what she and her family can do with their lives.

'She was told if she wants a family life then go and live in Thailand!

'Two points:
1/ When young people go travelling and working abroad don't fall in love with anyone outside of the EU - not allowed!
2/ One size fits all - how is a pregnant or young nursing mother expected to work and earn £22k+??? - not possible!

Alex

“The parents issue is the most important thing to me and I will move countries if I have to rather than abandon them…but I shouldn’t have to leave my home when I can guarantee to look after them with no recourse to public funds.”

Alex is a British citizen from Dartford, Kent with Oxford University as his alma mater. A property
investor and entrepreneur in the UK for 12 years, he has financially supported his parents in Ukraine during this period as well.

His parents are both 65 years old, living in rented accommodation in Ukraine because they sold their property with the intention to move to the UK and bring their life savings with them. They have no relatives other than Alex and his wife. They somewhat know the UK, having stayed here for a month or two every couple of years, but travelling is proving more and more difficult with age and its unavoidable symptoms.

Alex has worked hard and is earning over £100,000 a year. He is not on benefits (indeed, he wouldn't even qualify). He wishes to have his parents with him here, to enjoy and share his success, after years of hard work and sacrifices made by them all. It's well overdue. His parents would not qualify for benefits in the UK, with a very clear no recourse to public funds stamped in their passport, but Alex is willing to sign a waiver, provide a guarantee and take out private healthcare cover to alleviate any such fears this government might have nonetheless.


However under the current immigration rules this is still impossible. Now Alex is not just going to shrug his shoulders and say, "oh well" and think by sending money to Ukraine his responsibilities are fulfilled. No, that’s not how he was brought up and it’s not how he would want his children to treat him. So Alex is considering moving countries. Going to another EEA country for a year or so where he can have his parents with him and then using the Surinder Singh route to return to his home, the UK, with his parents. What is being denied to him by the UK is allowed to him by Europe.

With his excellent credentials, he has already had job offers from Frankfurt and Zurich but does not want to leave unless forced to. For him though the parents issue is the most important factor at the moment and one for which he will move if he needs to. The point remains that he should not need to.

With him will go his money for a year, the boost so sorely needed by our economy.

Yes, Alex intends to return. But he might fall in love with his new home and never do so (supporters of Tory net migration target with hands up in victory are oblivious to the fact that by encouraging exile of our citizens we are damaging our own future).

Even if Alex does return, he won't forget what this government has done, and what the opposition has let them do. People never do forget when it’s their own family and family life that is threatened. And the saddest thing is - unless there's a change pronto, he won't ever trust the system in UK again, because it will have failed him.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

26th June: Public meeting resisting the attack on migrant families

Hosted by Hackney Refugee and Migrant Support Group, all are welcome to this event on Weds June 26th, 7:30pm at CLR James Library, Dalston E8 EBQ  Speakers includes Steven Green (i.e. me!).

4th July: Family migration debate - House of Lords

We have another family migration debate coming up in the House of Lords on 4th July..if you can attend that, please do. Watch this space for more info re: that.

9th July: One year anniversary

HUGE DAY, and if you only come to one event, let it be this.
4pm Protest and rally at the Home Office, Marsham St.  5pm Lobby your MP.  6pm Public Meeting in Parliament, Committee Room 10, Westminster Palace. ALL ARE WELCOME. Attendees will also get a chance to ask questions and share their experiences. Leaflet designed by JCWI attached. JCWI, MRN, FIA and BritCits form the 'Divided Families Campaign' managing this event.

If you'd like to speak at the event and share your story, pls put yourself forward ASAP as we are collating speakers at the moment. I'd expect you'd need to speak for about 2-5 mins at the most.

Westminster debates

http://www.jcwi.org.uk/blog/2013/06/20/westminster-debates

There was collective eloquence of a dozen MPs with case studies galore, well versed in the iniquities of the immigration rules give forth. There was condemnations of the way income is assessed and queries why incoming spouses’ incomes cannot be considered in the rules, why third party support is now disqualified. Sarah Teather bemoaned the plight of the self-employed and what hoops they are expected to jump through to prove their income and stressed that the impact and future social cost of splitting up families and children from parents is simply not being taken into account.  Joan Ruddock explained the situation of her constituent who married a Canadian who lived in the UK working as a teacher for three years and now cannot return as her partner, a British Citizen, has been made redundant. The couple are forced apart by the rules for their first wedding anniversary and Britain loses a teacher. She also stated that the policy “goes against all human rights and needs to be changed”.

The rules preventing elderly dependent relatives from joining their offspring in the UK are condemned as “a ban masquerading as a rule”, as Ms Teather quoted a lawyer she had spoken to. Jonathan Ashworth described a British woman who fled Syria with her children in fear of her life having to leave her husband behind because she wasn’t earning money in the UK. Couples working abroad and returning to the UK faced a similar refusal, although a tad less life threatening perhaps.

So much evidence, so many arguments presented to the Immigration Minister, and his shadow from the Labour Party. In the last twenty minutes or so Chris Bryant and then Mark Harper the shadow preceding the minister, spoke. They contrived, with differing agendas, to blunt, to nullify, to ignore most of what’s been said before.
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Parliament committee report on new family rules and Westminster debate.

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2013/06/20/parliament-committee-report-on-new-family-rules-and-westminster-debate/

Last week, Free Movement posted the fruits of a FoI request disclosing the statistics in relation to partner applications from pre- and post-July 2012.  These figures were then analysed and fair conclusions were drawn in relation to gender discrimination on the basis that female sponsors generally earn less than male ones and therefore would find it more difficult to meet the new income threshold for maintenance.

Last week, also saw the publication of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration’s inquiry entitled “Report of the Inquiry into New Family Migration Rules” June 2013. This is a welcome report, which looked in particular at the new minimum income threshold of £18,600 (with the corresponding rises when children are included in the application) and the new rules concerning adult dependent relatives applying to come to the UK.

The Committee details that it received an impressive level of submissions and evidence from a wide range of participants:  MPs, NGOs, charities, legal organisations, lawyers, business, individuals affected etc…
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https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
Here's yesterday's full debate in the @HouseofCommons on the #familymigration rules
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2013-06-19a.254.1
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https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
The second debate on #familymigration is now scheduled for the @UKHouseofLords on 4th July
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/calendar/?d=2013-07-04#cal34315
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https://twitter.com/JCWInews :
CWI delighted to join the platform for the session 'Immigration is NOT the Problem' @ http://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/schedule/  See you there, we hope!
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https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Read again in the going ons in the family migration debate..how did your MP contribute?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130619/halltext/130619h0001.htm#13061971000001
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https://twitter.com/donflynnmrn :
U R all scroungers, minister Mark Harper tells low wage sponsors of foreign family members in Parl debate yesteday.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130619/halltext/130619h0001.htm#13061971000001
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https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
The truth about immigration: it's good for Britain by @GavinBarwellMP via @Telegraph http://fw.to/yDRpoLg
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https://twitter.com/KateGreenSU :
"MP calls for review of unfair family migration rules" > my latest post re #familymigration http://www.kategreen.org/?p=6836
---

https://twitter.com/AlbertOwenMP :
Chaired debates on family migration rules,car clamping in carparks and UKTI support for SMEs.Off to host Welsh Water meeting with Welsh MPs

Open letter

An open letter to Theresa May, from someone affected by the rules.

Dear Rt Hon Theresa May MP,

Family Immigration Rules 

 

'I am writing to request that you reconsider the new, harsher, family immigration rules which were introduced in 2012. I have personally been affected and have found myself effectively having to choose a life outside of my home country with my Fijian husband, away from my family, friends and job prospects, or to come back to the UK without my husband in order to find work over the income threshold for six months and then wait a further three months for a decision to be made.

'I am a recent Masters graduate, having gained a Distinction from Oxford Brookes University in December '2012. I will have no trouble at all in gaining work over the income threshold when coming back to the UK, and I have applied for jobs and received invites to interview for jobs way over the income requirement. I wish to work in the UK and I loathe feeling like my hard gained skills are being wasted by being here, in Fiji, where I am not legally able to work or volunteer as a spouse for three years. My parents have asked if they can sponsor us by providing some money for our first couple of months and a place to live rent free. They were shocked that this is not allowed under the new rules – the rules are not reflecting the reality of how families support each other.

'My husband and I were married two months ago, after meeting in 2008 and having been together for the the last two years. I visited him on numerous occasions, this time for seven months, and the time apart was a strain on our relationship, but necessary as I pursued a Masters degree to secure our future. My husband has been employed ever since he left school, would not accept social security benefits and wishes to fully contribute to the UK economy. We are now faced with spending the first year of our married life apart as we try to fulfill the requirements to come to the UK as a couple. The thought of more time apart makes me despair, and I have started to experience some negative impacts on my mental health as a result of the worry.

'I was shocked to discover that if I was an EEA national I would be able to bring my non-EEA spouse to the UK to live and work, by just filling in some paperwork, showing simple supporting documentation, and paying no fee whatsoever for the privilege. How can this be a fair system, when I am a well qualified UK national and I wish to live in my own country with my husband?

'I realise that you are very busy, and a gatekeeper is likely to divert this message elsewhere before you have a chance to read it, but being here, away from home, it seems like the best way to show how frustrated I am with the new rules. We are good people, in a genuine relationship, and I want to come back home. I didn't know that when I fell in love with someone outside of the EEA I would face these barriers to spending our lives together. I am requesting that you fully consider the implications these rules are having on normal people, just like us.'

Yours sincerely,

CD

Join us for the Divided Families day of action - 9th July

Congratulations!

Because of your lobbying, at least 30 MPs turned out for today's Westminster Hall Debate on the impacts of new family migration rules.

MPs from across the political parties called for a review of the rules and in particular argued that £18,600 is too high a threshold.

Let's keep the pressure up. Join us for the Divided Families day of action in Westminster on 9th July, and let's make our voices heard, together.
---

https://twitter.com/migrants_rights :
Join us for the Divided Families day of action on 9th July http://eepurl.com/Bbnnv
---

Effects of the new family migration rules on parliament.uk

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=13325&utm_source=Family+life+campaign&utm_campaign=fe69f592e9-MRN_News_Action-FM-12-6-2013&utm

As promised in the past, a debate on the 9th July rules. ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/introduction.html )

Well worth watching - and a very positive step. Twitterfest below.
---

David Ward highlights the plight of Bradford families in Parliament being harmed by Visa rules.

http://davidward.org.uk/en/article/2013/699166/david-ward-highlights-the-plight-of-bradford-families-in-parliament-being-harmed-by-visa-rules
---

https://twitter.com/SharlaMann :

This effects me & my #Britishfamily. I will be deported next year if the law doesn't change. #DividedFamiliesCampaign http://youtu.be/FTK7RMZcXmk

Received my temp visa to stay with my Husband&Child after 9.5mths of waiting. In another 2years I apply again! Frustrating #ukborderagency
---

https://twitter.com/sjplep :
Many MPs mention how Brits never expected to be affected by this in their lives. Highlights rules are attack on citizenship itself.
---

https://twitter.com/Centreradical :
@ChrisBryantMP So a Higher percentage of Lib Dem Mp's attending than Labour ones :)
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Shame on @Keith_VazMP for attacking Sarah Teather.As part of govt which brought in rules she's done more against them than he has
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :

reminder to all, @Keith_VazMP @ChrisBryantMP @APPGMigration nonEU families have NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS.

???? Mark Harper does not refer to adult dependants at all. HOW IS THIS ALLOWED??? @ChrisBryantMP @Keith_VazMP @KateGreenSU @APPGMigration

Mark Harper says rules have been made more flexible. Bull. #familyimmigration

Apparently £18600 is such that couple can't make income related benefits says Mark Harper. Then why freaking not use entire couples income!

More Brits will fall in love with foreigners in the future says @ChrisBryantMP So must keep this issue under perm review.Quotes Jane Austen

Income threshold not arbitrary.Its deliberate to prevent nearly half Brit population from living in home country with spouse @ChrisBryantMP

Rules remove right to family life says @VirendraSharma It's a qualified right refutes Mark Harper admitting there is an issue however

Constituent of @KateGreenSU has three jobs just to qualify to bring in spouse.Pay in many sectors, sales, nursing, public..below £18,600
---

https://twitter.com/KateGreenSU :
New #familymigration rules significantly disadvantage people on low incomes, particularly women and young people.
---

https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :

@ChrisBryantMP we need to keep this issue under review.

@GavinBarwellMP says net immigration is currently too high, but also adds that the income requirement is set too high.

@Keith_VazMP says the purpose of the #FamilyMigration rules is to limit the migration numbers.

Brits married to a non-EU partner living abroad are unable to come back to the UK says @alanwhiteheadmp citing example from his constituency
---

https://twitter.com/JackDromeyMP :
#FamilyMigration rules tear families apart, separate children from their parents and often cost the taxpayer more. Spoke in Commons debate.
---

https://twitter.com/JCWInews :

Plenty of needle between Bryant and Vaz, as Bryant defends the income requirement as "not arbitrary".

Chris Bryant reads lines from emails that have flooded his inbox on family rules. Shame he then accepts that measures protect taxpayer money
---

https://twitter.com/MigRightsScot :
Lame argument regarding regional differences by @Mark_J_Harper. More to consider huge impact in #Scotland & regions #familyimmigration
---

https://twitter.com/julianhuppert :
At a well-attended debate about the impact of the new family migration rules. Causing real problems for many people around the country #fb
---

New British visa rules said to be tearing families apart.

http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/794391.html#ixzz2WhXeMdv1

Ridiculous

Spotted on Facebook :

'Sitting here with my fiance and calculating his payslips. We are 56 pounds short of the 18,600 requirement. Has anyone come up against this same situation and what have you done? Any suggestions...Help....we are very discouraged.'
(USA)

---

I am afraid there is no discretion if the rules. If you fall £56 short of the requirement, you need (£16000 + 2.5 * 56 = £16140) to meet the requirement, in a cash bank account. Highlighting how ridiculous the rules are. (The lack of discretion has been highlighted in the APPG report, and elsewhere).

HMS Inflexible

Today

https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
Make sure you watch the Westminster Hall Debate on Family Migration tomorrow, from 2.30.
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=13325

https://twitter.com/crer_scotland :
MPs debate the impact of new family migration rules tomorrow (19/06) at 2.30. If this affects you, please email/tweet to let your MP know.
---

G8: Cameron promises biggest bilateral deal in history as free trade talks open.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/17/g8-trade-deal-talks-launched

Will free trade mean transatlantic free movement? What a dream that would be!

Adam Smith on free movement of labour :
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/a-list/2006-May/024999.html

... But the policy of Europe, by not leaving things at  perfect liberty, occasions other inequalities of much greater importance. It  does this chiefly in the three following ways. First, by restraining the  competition in some employments to a smaller number than would otherwise be  disposed to enter into them; secondly, by increasing it in others beyond  what it naturally would be; and, thirdly, by obstructing the free  circulation of labour and stock, both from employment to employment and from  place to place.
---

UK government to back down on plans to make landlords police immigration.

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2013-06-14/uk-government-to-back-down-on-plans-to-make-landlords-police-immigration
---

Immigration rules need to change.

http://www.nouse.co.uk/2013/06/18/immigration-rules-need-to-change/

British immigration laws have come under severe scrutiny after complaints of families being kept apart. As it stands, the British immigration law states that if a British worker wants to sponsor a non-EU visa, they have to earn £18,600 a year. This rises to £22,400 to sponsor a child, and an additional £2,400 for every child thereafter...
(Nouse, University of York student newspaper)
---

UK visa rules breaking families apart: Report.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news/39993215_1_uk-visa-rules-family-migration-all-party-parliamentary-group

 LONDON: UK's new stringent immigration policies are forcing many professionals, including those from India, to leave the country to take care of their ageing parents, British MPs have said in a new report.

Restrictions on family migration were introduced by Home Office ministers as part of the drive to reduce net migration to Britain.
---

More global coverage :
http://immigrazioneoggi.it/daily_news/notizia.php?id=005421
http://www.bbc.co.uk/vietnamese/world/2013/06/130610_uk_visa_rules.shtml
http://www.londragazete.com/news/view/2165/Home_Office_aile_trajedilerine_yol_a%C3%A7%C4%B1yor
---

A series of clay figurines have been created by artist Marcus Crocker to highlight the contribution refugees have made to British culture. Queen front-man Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara and fled Zanzibar with his parents in the 1960s during the island's revolution. The sculpture is outside the West End's Dominion Theatre where We Will Rock You has run for 11 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22876964

Douglas's family :

More : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/jack-jack-grew-up-in-england-and-has.html

Caroline

Via Facebook

'I am a single mum of a two year old. I live in a family owned home, so do not pay rent. Yet I cannot bring my Dominican husband into the country.... so I am forced to be single. 

'So a father who is willing to work (and contribute both in taxes, and supporting his own family) is not allowed to be with his family. 

'Leaving me a single mum, unable to work, as child still so little and I am on my own. Where is the justice in this... and where does that leave the country better off financially. We could be independent if he were allowed to be here. 

'You are welcome to use my story. 

'And where oh where in all this is the RIGHTS of the child to have a father????'

Spotted on Twitter

Bishop Lynch signs letter criticising "unfair and damaging" migration rules threatening families.

http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/bishop-criticises-family-migration-rules

Via https://twitter.com/catholicEW
---

https://twitter.com/APPGMigration :
First post-report launch debate on family migration will be this Wednesday, led by @VirendraSharma in Westminster Hall, from 2.30pm.
Second post-report launch debate on family migration will be on 4th July, led by Baroness Hamwee in the Moses Room, from 4pm.
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
Let British children live in home country with mum AND dad
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/15/families-need-fathers-david-lammy
---

https://twitter.com/emmabmoussa :
Gotta say a big thank you to https://twitter.com/JCWInews without them my husband would not be celebrating his first Father's Day with his son xx

http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/driss
---

Why are so many of the UK's missing teenagers Vietnamese?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22903511

Via https://twitter.com/MigrantChildren
---

https://twitter.com/JCWInews :
Theresa May tries to attract the right sort of pub quiz entrants?
http://news.uk.msn.com/citizenry-test-a-bad-pub-quiz#tscptmt

Blatant error! :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/error-in-life-in-uk-book-image-below-is.html
---

https://twitter.com/19pst :
"one of the most unique and culturally significant buildings in London"- Time Out peeks into 19 Princelet Street
http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2013/06/15/take-a-peek-into-19-princelet-streets-museum-of-immigration-and-diversity/

Family migration campaigning: the next steps

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/06/family-migration-campaigning-next-steps


'For all those worrying that the pain caused by last year's new family migration rules may have gone largely unnoticed, last Monday's launch of the APPG family inquiry report will have told a different story...

'...A good opportunity for strengthening the political arguments for a rethink on the family migration rules will come this week. As a result of political concern about this issue, a Westminster Hall Debate for MPs has been scheduled for this Wednesday from 14:30 - 16:00, led by the APPG family migration inquiry vice chair Virendra Sharma. All those concerned about the rules who have not already written to their MP to ask them to attend the debate, should do so as soon as possible! In any case, do watch the debate on Parliament Live TV here.

'Following this, there will be a debate on the family migration rules in the House of Lords in early July, and then a Divided Families Day of Action which will include a meeting in Parliament on 9th July.

'All in all, there will be plenty to watch out for, and plenty of chances to take an active role in campaigning over the next month on this important issue. If you would like to be actively involved, make sure to sign the letter of support on the MRN website here - over 2000 people have done so already since last Monday...'

So coming up : the Westminster Hall debate, a reminder to sign the MRN letter of support ( 2000 signatures in a few days! http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/support-the-right-to-family-life ).

And, once again, please please please if you can try to attend the demonstration and parliamentary lobby on 9th July. Be there! ( http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/britcits-meetups-for-9th-july-to-mark.html )

(Also, if you happen to be able to get to Hackney on 26th June, be here and meet me! http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/public-meeting-resisting-attacks-on.html )
---

Needless heartbreak and the new UK rules on family migration

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2013/06/needless-heartbreak-and-new-uk-rules-family-migration

By https://twitter.com/donflynnmrn

'Theresa May made it clear when she drafted her rules on family immigration that human rights considerations would be kept to the absolute minimum. How much has this approach contributed to the mess that we are now in with this policy?

'...The whole sorry situation – poor, confusing rules, creating unneeded hardship for almost 18,000 families a year who find themselves in this situation – could have been avoided if the government had chosen to regard human rights law not as the enemy of good regulation, but as a very useful ally.  Yes, there are circumstances in which even Article 8 agrees that considerations of wider public interest might trump a family reunion right, but these ought to be when exceptional facts are present, rather than the mundane matter of humble folk struggling to pay the costs of their daily existence.'

Via the comments

'Best of luck to everyone posting here and in the same sad situation.Thanks to the UKBA my Iranian wife and I have been separated for more time that we have been together! Sure they granted her a fiancee visa, we got married within the time frame. Then they gave her a deportation order with 2 weeks notice. The UK is a bonkers country so we will go and live in Spain for a while then Oz. The way this country treat migrants (and the elderly...) shows the true colour of its social policies. Theresa May put a policy like this in place so she can spin some stats at me about reducing 'uncontrolled immigration' but it's a blunt and unkind instrument. Typical invention of bureaucrats. Immigration has largely been reduced by shutting down the fake schools - not by this financial hurdle which makes no sense at all. David.'

In response to Clyde and XuDan's story :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/clyde-and-xudan-our-family-is.html

Statement of Intent on changes to knowledge of language and life in the UK from 2013 has been mirrored

Here : http://www.scribd.com/doc/148202765/Statement-of-Intent-Koll

Mirrored from : https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/182545/statement-of-intent-koll.pdf

I thought it was worth making an easy-to-find copy of this upcoming change.

The statement of intent says :
'Individuals wishing to apply for indefinite leave to remain (referred to hereafter as settlement) or naturalisation as British citizens (referred to hereafter as naturalisation) are required to demonstrate their knowledge of language and life in the UK (the KoLL requirement).'

A few points here :

1/ There is confusion because the term 'settlement' is used in two different ways in an immigration context.

'Settlement' can mean permanent status in the country, i.e. either ILR (indefinite leave to remain) or citizenship (naturalisation). But a 'settlement visa' can also be used to refer to a visa which is temporary but which is part of the accepted path for permanent status, such as a fiance visa.

As the paragraph above says, this rule change applies to those applying for ILR or citizenship - not fiance or spousal or any other type of non-permanent visa, even those which lead up to a permanent status.

I've seen several misunderstandings in my interactions with people affected, and it's really a poor show by the government not to use 'plain English'

2/ Previously, nationals of non-English speaking countries needed to get either the requisite grade from an approved language test, or to pass Life in the UK. Now they are required to pass both. Nationals of English-speaking countries still need to pass the Life in the UK test.

More -

Requirement that, from October 2013, all people applying to settle in the UK will need to pass an intermediate level English language test and pass the ‘life in the UK’ test.  -
http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2012/06/family-migration-new-rules-announced

Previous post with some links on the new Life in UK test :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/hidden-lives-life-in-uk-comedy-gold.html

Previously one or the other was acceptable. Now BOTH are required, adding more time, expense and stress to the whole process, for no real end except to make lives difficult.
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/todays-links-couples-torn-apart-by-uk.html

Life in the UK test in epic medieval history fail :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/error-in-life-in-uk-book-image-below-is.html

Spotted on Facebook

'Just one more story amongst the thousands - my Brazilian husband and I have been married nearly 18 years, same rules apply. Came back so I could be closer to help my parents in their old age. Struggling to meet the financial requirement. The emotional strain and toll on couples and their families is horrendous. What a pitiless world we live in.'

Fathers' Day

Spotted on Facebook :

I wonder if David Lammy and the Right Wing think tank complaining of "man deserts" will stand up for divided families? Not all absent Dads choose to be absent! Too right!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/15/families-need-fathers-david-lammy

Skype Daddy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKrCUaKB4KM

Stories of divided families : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/stories

Here are some fathers and children who are suffering or have suffered because of the anti-family immigration rules :

'... Once I’m gone, that possibility leaves with me, but however much resentment I feel towards this land, there will always be something of me that remains behind and can never be fully sundered from the island of its birth. That “thing” is a person. A beautiful little person by the name of Holly Rowan. You will never be far from my thoughts. I may have left you, but you will never leave me.'
- http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/les

Valentine's Day : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/valentines-day-part-ii-one-of-britcits.html
---

Citizenship test has become a bad pub quiz, says academic.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jun/14/citizenship-test-pub-quiz

But it is required that new citizens know "trivial" facts such as the year Emperor Claudius invaded Britain, the year that Sake Dean Mahomet launched the first curry house in the country and the age of Big Ben.

Brooks, a US immigrant who sat and passed the test in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 2009, becoming a British citizen in 2011, said the test is a key part of immigration policy but is unfit for purpose in its current form.

"The Life In The UK test has become a bad pub quiz. It has gone from testing practical trivia to the purely trivial and is a major opportunity lost," he said.

"The biggest surprise is the lack of attention successive governments have paid to ensuring the test is fair and not out of date, a surprise even bigger than the sometimes-shocking questions that can be found on the test," said Brooks, a reader in law at Durham Law School.

Previously : The Life in UK book's blatant Sutton Hoo error :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/error-in-life-in-uk-book-image-below-is.html

(The helmet captioned as 'Sutton Hoo' in the LiUK book is in fact the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendel helmet. Fail! ).

Similar but not the same :

---

Family migration? Not if you're poor.

http://podacademy.org/2013/uncategorized/immigration/ 

Actually, my crime isn’t marrying a foreigner – it’s being poor and marrying a foreigner that really gets their goat. After all, the government hasn’t been completely unreasonable; as long as you have £65,000 in cash savings in a bank account, you’re fine. Alternatively, as long as you have investments and the revenue from them equals the magical £18,600, then you’re covered. So, I’m not completely buggered; all I need is £65,000 for six months (and the willpower not to spend any of it) or £465,000 to invest, as that will earn me £18,600 at an interest rate of 4%. There is no leeway where the figures are concerned: they have to be spot on. One of the examples of the severity of this rule that’s currently circulating the net is of a British woman who has spent nine and a half years years in the armed forces and is, per month, £17 short of the government’s target, and thus, is unable to live in the UK with her spouse.
---

https://twitter.com/BritCits :
McPassport .. what a brilliant idea from @McDonalds to build on EU togetherness http://www.yourtalentmcd.eu
---

Come to Britain unprepared and you risk becoming a victim of violence, Polish migrants warned.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10120641/Come-to-Britain-unprepared-and-you-risk-becoming-a-victim-of-violence-Polish-migrants-warned.html
---

https://twitter.com/SalCardiff :
cat in skip = national outrage. Child separated from parents by uk immigration = sorry we're full. UK is shut!

Public Meeting – Resisting attacks on migrant family rights

Come and hear about the new restrictions on British and settled members of our communities’ ability to bring in members of their families.

Wednesday June 26th 7.30pm
@ CLR James Library, Dalston E8 3BQ

Family life: a right, not a privilege

And come to the Divided Families Day demo and Lobby of Parliament 9th July

APPG report - uploaded

I have mirrored a copy of the APPG Family Migration Rules Inquiry report here :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/147871600/APPG-Family-Migration-Inquiry-Report-Jun-2013

Original : http://www.appgmigration.org.uk/family-inquiry

'The APPG report is out' :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-appg-report-is-out-httpwww.html

More responses to the report :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-appg-report-is-out-part-2-more.html

Stories and excerpts from the report :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/more-stories-and-excerpts-from-report.html

Lady Justice, Olomouc, Czech Republic