Only in draft form as yet - will take 2 years even if approvd - Gist of the proposal is:
Thousands of foreigners who want to marry a British person and move to this country would have to take an English test intended to help their integration, under a Home Office plan.
The tests would be taken before the prospective immigrant left for Britain.
In a speech in London today Mr Byrne will say that the deal for migrants is unambiguous: “Speak the language, obey the law and make sure you’re paying your taxes like the rest of us.â€
I could be wrong on the GCSE bit, the beeb changed its first report and in later reports it only applied to those seeking "highly skilled" visas. I will have to fully read the proposals first.
Re: Niggles excellent summary above, just to mention that Spouses now need to have passed the citizenship test to get Indefinite leave to remain or moved up a level on an English language training course with citizenship content included. ILR in almost every case comes before citizenship and comes at an ever increasing cost.
Like most associated with the UK Govt. I treat the consultation as little more than PR. They rarely change their proposals. I don't know the time scales or whether primary legislation needs changing, but if not, I could see some of these proposals being introduced in 2008.
On the "highly skilled" note, l hope the Govt changes the current benefit rules that allows those "highly skilled" coming here (UK), as they are needed to fill shortages already in the "highly skilled" market, to not be allowed to claim benefit whilst they find gainful employment in their particular "highly skilled" specialism! I find that one a contradiction of sorts.
DawnHHDRC wrote:Statistically, how many of those born & bred in the UK have a GCSE Grade C or above in English?
This is a very good point. Whilst I cannot, actually produce figures, I can tell you that i failed my 11+, went to secondary school and only managed a CSE pass in English. I consider my English to be slightly above average but I doubt if could pass an exam, at this stage, even if I had to.
The European Union is keen to let anyone pass it's borders and come to England. Many of the migrants that I have spoken to, demonstrate a much lower understanding of my native language than many Thai people, who will never be able to get a visa. Some things in life are not at all fair.
DawnHHDRC wrote:Statistically, how many of those born & bred in the UK have a GCSE Grade C or above in English?
This is a very good point. Whilst I cannot, actually produce figures, I can tell you that i failed my 11+, went to secondary school and only managed a CSE pass in English. I consider my English to be slightly above average but I doubt if could pass an exam, at this stage, even if I had to.
The European Union is keen to let anyone pass it's borders and come to England. Many of the migrants that I have spoken to, demonstrate a much lower understanding of my native language than many Thai people, who will never be able to get a visa. Some things in life are not at all fair.
The perceived view, rightly or wrongly, apears to be that as the UK can do nowt to stop europeans coming (the current measures are only temproray), that it has to do more elsewhere to stop the Countryu being even more swamped.
I'm curious to know what the reaction would be pre-next election, if a political party said we're not gonna play ball on free movement to the UK, entitlement to benefits etc.
Nowhere in the article does it state that partners of UK citizens will need to pass CGSE at Grade C - that would put approx 60% of British people in a bit if a spot!
The article refers to the fact that "partners may be required to take a test in English./b]" Implicitly this move is about partners/spouses from South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular.
The article also makes clear that there will be controls on migrants from Bulgaria and Romania.
I wonder how many of us would pass a written/oral equivallent requirement in respect of emmigrating to Thailand?
Nowhere in the article does it state that partners of UK citizens will need to pass CGSE at Grade C - that would put approx 60% of British people in a bit if a spot!
The article refers to the fact that "partners may be required to take a test in English./b]" Implicitly this move is about partners/spouses from South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular.
The article also makes clear that there will be controls on migrants from Bulgaria and Romania.
I wonder how many of us would pass a written/oral equivallent requirement in respect of emmigrating to Thailand?
Yup, I got stung by a quick post when I saw the initial article, which then changed (honest). They can't hold out forever against the new wave and once they are here for x period (I think 12 months), they get full rights.
Despite the Govt. saying there would be no entitlement to benefits, if the income fulls short - and it will do - they can get Housing Benefit to help towards the rent.
