Mastering Immigration Law Subscription Update July 2024
As summer ends, the world of UK immigration continues to evolve at a brisk pace. The months of July and August 2024 have ushered in a series of significant changes that are reshaping their Rules for migrants, and practitioners alike. From ground breaking policy shifts to crucial legal rulings, these updates are set to have far-reaching implications for those navigating the complex waters of UK immigration law.
HJT’s Mastering Immigration Law brings these crucial immigration updates to our valued subscribers, ensuring you stay informed and prepared in this ever-changing regulatory environment.
We share a glimpse of some pivotal updates below.
Asylum
The UK’s asylum policies have seen significant shifts recently, with the Home Office introducing crucial changes to its regulations. On 24 July 2024, new amendments to the Illegal’ Migration Act (IMA) were published, marking a turning point in asylum policy. These changes allow for the processing of asylum claims and open pathways for individuals to be granted settlement and British citizenship. While these amendments are a step in the right direction, it’s important to note that they fall short of fully repealing the IMA, which remains a contentious piece of legislation.
In a move to support refugee integration, the Home Office has expanded its Refugee Employability Programme (REP) to include Humanitarian Protection holders. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between refugees and the wider UK population in terms of employment rates. The programme offers a comprehensive support system, including personalised Case Managers who assess individual needs and develop tailored plans. Participants can benefit from expert employment support, covering everything from CV development to job search assistance. Additionally, the programme provides English language classes and conversation clubs to boost language skills, as well as support for community integration, helping refugees navigate local services and build their lives in their new communities.
Victims of Human Trafficking and Slavery
For victims of human trafficking and slavery, there have been notable developments as well. As of 27 August 2024, the Home Office has resumed making decisions on granting temporary permission to stay (VTS) under specific circumstances. These include cases where the permission would enable victims to seek compensation, cooperate with authorities in investigations or criminal proceedings, or for individuals who already have permission to stay in the UK under a different category. However, it’s worth noting that decisions on granting VTS for recovery from physical or psychological harm related to exploitation are currently on hold.
While positive steps have been taken, particularly in supporting refugee employment and integration, there remain areas that require further attention and improvement. The partial implementation of these changes, along with the continued existence of the IMA, suggests that the UK’s asylum policy is still in a state of flux, balancing between providing support and maintaining stricter controls on immigration.
EUSS Family Applications
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Rexhaj [2024] EWCA Civ 784 has significantly impacted EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications, particularly for extended family members. The ruling clarifies that individuals granted a family permit under Appendix EU (Family Permit) before 1 July 2021 must now provide evidence of actual dependency when applying for leave to remain under Appendix EU. It also emphasises the distinction between Appendix EU and Appendix EU (Family Permit), despite their interconnected nature.
This decision means that applicants who entered the UK with a family permit must make a separate application under Appendix EU for leave to remain, subject to current rules.
The Court rejected arguments about unfairness, noting that the expiry of the dependency concession was clearly stated in advance. As a result, future applicants, especially extended family members, will need to provide robust evidence of their dependency on their EU sponsor.
Business Immigration
The Labour government’s first announcement on legal migration, delivered on 30 July 2024, laid out a new strategy. This approach aims to create a more integrated approach that aligns migration with the country’s skills and labour market needs.
A key feature of this new policy is the strengthened role of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The Labour government plans to bolster the MAC’s capabilities, including additional Home Office staff, to enable more strategic work on future policy. As an initial step, the MAC will be commissioned to review the dependence of sectors like IT and engineering on international recruitment, which have consistently featured on shortage occupation lists.
This new direction in immigration policy represents a more holistic approach, linking migration controls directly to skills and labour market policies. The government plans to foster collaboration between the MAC, Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Labour Market Advisory Board to create a coherent strategy addressing skills gaps, migration needs, and labour market demands. This integrated approach aims to balance the benefits of skilled migration with the development of domestic talent, potentially reshaping the UK’s workforce landscape in the coming years.
While these updates offer a glimpse into the evolving world of UK immigration, they’re just the beginning of the story. Our dedicated subscribers enjoy a far more comprehensive view, with in-depth coverage spanning a wide array of immigration law topics.
HJT Training remains passionate about keeping immigration advisers at the cutting edge of their field. This dedication shines through in our regular enhancements to the Mastering Immigration Law (MIL) content. Our subscribers gain access to thorough, clear-cut explanations of recent changes, equipping them to offer top-notch representation to their clients.
We take pride in delivering prompt, precise, and perceptive analysis of the ever-shifting immigration landscape. By tapping into our resources, advisers can confidently tackle the intricacies of immigration law, providing expert guidance to those who depend on their knowledge.
For our subscribers’ convenience, we’ve compiled a thorough list of all updates in the Updates & Documentation module. It’s our way of ensuring you’re always in the know, ready to face whatever challenges the world of UK immigration might bring.
A comprehensive list of all the updates is listed for our subscriber’s reference under the Updates & Videos module. Please log in to access.
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HJT is pleased to also inform that the Pre Order for the latest hard copy manual 2024 edition for MIL is now in full swing. The subscription unlocks an instant access to 17 Modules with full updates to every area of UK Immigration, 15% discount on live courses with experts, CPD coverage and much more.
With a new government now in place, we anticipate further changes on the horizon and MIL will be your reliable companion throughout these times.
Curious? Request a FREE DEMO by contacting us at enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call us 07544164692.
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Written by Shareen Khan
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