Surinder Singh and Scotland

Hi guys

Hope summer has been good to you.  Some updates:

MM case
Last week the lawyers involved indicated they were still waiting on legal aid approval.  There is some confidence that this will be granted, as will permission to appeal to Supreme Court, possibly for a hearing in February next year. However nothing is for certain yet.  More to come when more is known.

Surinder Singh

Please find here the first version of the Surinder Singh country specific guide.  This collates experience of some members (my sincere thanks to these people) who have exercised treaty rights in various member states, covering Residence Card application process to rentals; from best places to find a job to supermarkets; from mobile phone networks to issues faced in opening a bank account.  There is currently substantive information for Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland and Malta. 

Some have put their hand up to be in-country mentors to those who need more help and these mentors will also organise local meetups.

There are lots of gaps still to be filled in (especially for Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain) so pls do your bit to help us help others by dropping me an email with some pointers along the lines of what you have learnt, what you wish you had known before embarking on your SS journey etc  It doesn't have to be major - can even be something as small as recommended restaurants!

If you have any experience you wish to share or are keen to be a mentor, please let me know.

Amended versions will be uploaded to the BritCits website and http://www.scribd.com/doc/239558037/Surinder-Singh-country-specific-guide  If you have trouble downloading from this website let me know and we will email you the latest soft copy.

Scotland independence referendum

Next week as you're aware is the Scottish independence referendum.  A lot is in the media about what people north and south of the border feel would be best.  Not much however seems to have been said from the perspective of migrants - which is where you guys come in.  You could be the first or second generation migrant; have migrant parents or be the migrant partner.

If this is you, it would be great if you could spend just five minutes this weekend to write a paragraph or two (max 400 words) on the emotions evoked by the words British as opposed to say English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish.  Which one/(s) do you identify with?

This is for Politics.co.uk so please send your contributions to us to forward on, or to them directly, no later than Sunday.

HAGW.

Sonel

For all content on mailers sent out this month, see: http://www.scribd.com/word/document_edit/239570170

Scotland’s liberal approach to immigration

Scotland would move away from Westminster’s aggressive approach to immigration if it gains independence says an independence white paper.

Details of an independent Scotland’s immigration policies were published by the Scottish National Party yesterday as part of a white paper on Scotland’s future. 

With independence, Scotland will create a system that better reflects the country’s migration needs, which are different to those other parts of the UK, says the paper.

This new approach to immigration is in line with the country’s economic rationale for population growth.

“We plan to lower the current financial maintenance thresholds and minimum salary levels for entry, to better align them with Scottish average wages and cost of living,” says the paper with regards to non-EU migration.

The current entry requirements for non-EU nationals are the same for migration to all parts of the UK despite regional variations in earnings.

In the event of independence, Scotland plans to remain part of the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland, which would remove the need for border checks between England and Scotland.

“As a full member of the EU, Scottish borders will remain open to EU nationals exercising their treaty rights,” says the paper.

“Migrants have played an important part throughout Scottish history in enriching and renewing our culture and boosting the economy of the country. We will welcome people who want to come to work and live in Scotland,” it adds.

Other Home Affairs’ policies laid out in the paper include a points-based system for skilled workers, post-study work visas for foreign graduates of Scottish universities, a humane approach to refugees and asylum seekers, and an inclusive approach to citizenship.

The referendum for Scottish independence is scheduled for 18 September 2014. 

Scotland’s Future:Your Guide to an Independent Scotland