UK to Move 900 Asylum Seekers to Disused Military Barracks in Inverness and East Sussex
UK and Switzerland Extend Services Mobility Agreement Until 2029
Highland Council Demands Answers Over Plan to Place 300 Asylum Seekers in Inverness Barracks
Latest News
House of Lords to Grill Migration Minister on ‘Impact-Free’ Immigration Rule Changes
The Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee will question Migration Minister Mike Tapp this afternoon on why recent Skilled Worker and refugee-family visa changes were enacted without impact assessments. The hearing could result in tighter parliamentary oversight of future immigration rules.
Lords Committee grills Migration Minister on ad-hoc immigration rule-making
Parliament’s Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee will question Migration Minister Mike Tapp on 28 October about recent immigration rule changes pushed through secondary legislation. Peers want to know why July’s Skilled Worker tightening and September’s family-reunion suspension lacked impact assessments. Recommendations could force fuller parliamentary scrutiny of future visa rule changes—an important signal for employers navigating rapid policy shifts.
Jet-refueller strike at Gatwick threatens EasyJet operations
Thirty Redline Oil refuellers at Gatwick struck on 27 October, forcing EasyJet to cancel flights and rely on flown-in replacement staff. Unite says the walkout will continue until pay matches other airport contractors, raising the risk of further half-term travel disruption for business flyers.
Clyde & Co bulletin flags December immigration fee hikes and tougher English requirement
A Clyde & Co client alert dated 27 October confirms the Immigration Skills Charge will jump 32 % on 16 December, pushing the five-year sponsorship cost of a Skilled Worker to over £14,000. English-language and Graduate-route changes are also on the horizon, prompting employers to accelerate CoS issuance and revise mobility budgets.
Government shifts digital-ID project to Cabinet Office, signalling faster rollout
Responsibility for the UK’s planned digital-ID scheme transferred from Government Digital Service to the Cabinet Office on 27 October, signalling political priority for rapid rollout. The move could accelerate e-verification of right-to-work and residency status, but employers must prepare for system changes and privacy compliance.
Trespass incident halts Gatwick Express and Thameslink services for an hour
A trespass incident near Haywards Heath halted Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink services for an hour on 27 October, causing flight-connection headaches and highlighting the vulnerability of UK air-rail links.
Consultants warn of Immigration Health Surcharge pain despite earlier implementation
Five Star International’s 27 October briefing warns that many organisations have not factored the February 2024 Immigration Health Surcharge increase—now £1,035 per adult per year—into 2025 relocation budgets, exposing them to surprise cost overruns on imminent visa filings.