Immigration newsletter 18 May 2010

On Tuesday 11 May 2010 David Cameron leader of the Conservative Party became the new UK Prime Minister in a new Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government. The Conservatives are the biggest Party in Parliament with 306 seats; However, they did not gain enough seats to achieve an overall majority on their own. After the General Election results of 7 May 2010 the Liberal Democrats seeing an opportunity to be part of a new Government started negotiations with the Conservatives and after a few days reached an agreement on forming a Coalition Government. Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats has become the Deputy Prime Minister with five of the top twenty Government Cabinet posts going to the Liberal Democrats.

The New Home Secretary Theresa May had the following to say about immigration policy: "...an annual limit on the number of economic migrants from outside the European Union...".

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans had previously announced the revocations of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) from 8 February 2010. Now following advice from the Independent body, Skills Australia a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has just been announced. This is due to be implemented on 1 July 2010.

The new immigration reforms are intended to make sure that the Australian skilled immigration program will result in new immigrants who better meets the needs of the Australian economy and the skilled labour needs in Australia.

The rate of immigration to Canada remains high with more than 500,000 new permanent and temporary residents in 2009.  Immigration Minister Jason Kenney had the following to say:

"Momentum toward a full economic recovery continued throughout 2009, and immigration will continue to support that momentum."   Immigration Minister Kenney went onto say that "The Government of Canada is maintaining immigration levels to meet Canada's short-, medium- and long-term economic needs, help offset our aging population and low birthrate, and sustain our workforce."

The new UK Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that the identity card system will be abolished.   Theresa May had the following to say:

"We will be scrapping ID cards but also introducing an annual cap on the number of migrants coming into the UK from outside the European union."

Thousands of migrants from outside the European Union, and British nationals living in the northwest had to apply for the identity card. The abolition of the identity card will reduce the administrative burden on applicants and those who have to administer the scheme.