UK lowers eGate age to eight – Cardiff leads nationwide family-friendly roll-out
Right-to-Work overhaul and ‘earned settlement’ centre stage in July immigration update
UK eGates to open for 1.5 million children aged 8–9 from 8 July
Latest News
Women’s rights groups slam U.K. Immigration & Asylum Bill
Rights of Women says the new Immigration and Asylum Bill could leave abuse survivors without legal help and accelerate removals that breach the U.K.’s human-rights duties. Employers worry the draft law’s broad visa-cancellation powers could hit international assignees.
West Midlands Trains strike on 9 July to disrupt airport rail links
A 24-hour TSSA strike at West Midlands Trains on 9 July will halt services on Birmingham–London routes, inconveniencing travellers heading to Heathrow and Birmingham airports. Companies should arrange alternative transport and expect longer door-to-door times.
Guardian case shows first deportation attempt under new rules
A Jamaican father of five U.K. citizens faces removal under the new Immigration and Asylum Bill, highlighting how tougher automatic-deportation powers may affect long-term residents and, by extension, employers relying on their labour.
EU Entry/Exit System already slowing British holidaymakers
MoneyWeek reports that the Schengen Entry/Exit System is lengthening queues for Britons and that travel-insurance policies will not pay out for EES-related delays. The biometric requirement also increases overstay penalty risks, making planning and day-count tracking more important for business travellers.
EES queues could ‘trap time-critical freight’, warns logistics press
Logistics outlet Trans.info says EES-related car queues at Dover could immobilise freight, threatening supply chains for medicine and manufacturing. The industry is calling for a summer suspension of the biometric checks or for companies to add costly buffer stock.
Parliamentary Committee presses Home Secretary on Immigration and Asylum Bill, ETA enforcement and Common Travel Area
Peers questioned Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on 6 July about the new Immigration and Asylum Bill, ETA teething problems, and data-sharing with Ireland. The minister promised faster ETA decisions, a 24/7 carrier help-desk and bilateral CTA data links this summer, while confirming that physical visa stickers ended on 1 July. Employers should expect further sponsor-licence rule changes when the ‘Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ is published later this year.
Latest Home Office sponsor register shows surge in A-rated employers after July compliance refresh
MyVisaJobs’ 6 July refresh of the Home Office sponsor register shows a notable jump in A-rated Skilled Worker licence holders. With higher salary thresholds and stricter English-language rules now in force—and physical visa stickers gone—HR teams must update onboarding checks or risk rapid downgrades in the next audit cycle.