It is claimed retrospective changes to the Highly Skilled Migration Programme (HSMP) in 2006 will mean thousands of non-EU migrants have Global forum on human trafficking ...
Citizen Havel premieres at Berlin Film Festival ...
Iran's FM questions UN resolution ...
Market turmoil in focus for Davos ... to leave the UK.

The HSMP Forum, which is seeking the judicial review, says 90% - 44,000 people - who entered under the HSMP no longer qualified.

They claim the decision was unfair and in breach of their human rights.

'Harsh'

Between 2002 and the end of 2006, when the government changed the rules, 49,000 doctors, engineers, accountants and other professionals entered the UK under the HSMP.

They were assessed on qualifications, experience and earning ability.

But the change in the rules meant anyone applying to extend their work visa would also have to score points based on their education, salary and age.

The HSMP Forum says thousands have already left the UK after their visas expired, and more than a thousand others have had their applications to stay rejected.

It says the government went back on its promise to let them stay after four years work.

Last year, MPs from the Joint Committee on Human Rights said the retrospective changes were harsh, unfair, and incompatible with the Human Rights Act.

The HSMP Forum said the retrospective changes had affected the lives of thousands of non-EU nationals, who left well paid jobs, perks and families to make the UK home.

Forum member Chandrasekar Elangovan said: "It is ironic that a government which boasts itself as champions of human rights around the globe is actually playing with the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants and their families."

The HSMP has since been converted into the new points-based system, launched last month.

(BBC)

<< Back