Scotland has been on the verge of a population crisis, but new research, by the General Registers of Scotland, shows that the population there has risen to the highest level for 25 years.  It had been predicted that there would be fewer than 5 million people living permanently in Scotland by 2009, but it seems that the ‘Fresh Talent’ initiative begun 4 years ago by the then First Minister, Jack McConnell, is beginning to show signs of turning the tide.  The scheme has been aimed directly at attracting skilled migrants to come and live and work in Scotland.

Scottish business leaders welcomed the figures which show that last year 63,000 Scots left the country but that around 90,000 arrived (17,000 from overseas). Liz Cameron, director of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said they were “a further sign of renewed vitality in Scotland’s population”.

Scotland is a wonderful part of the UK to live in and is suffering the same skills shortages as the rest of the British Isles.  If you have skills and are interested in migrating to a beautiful and scenic part of the world, Scotland may be ideal for you.  Check out www.workingin-uk.com for jobs and more!

Three prominent elderly care industry leaders have this week written to the UK government to urge them to add care workers to the official skills shortage list.  The English Community Care Association, the National Care Association (NCA) and the Registered Nursing Homes Association have all raised the issue, pointing out that the government acknowledges a shortage of care workers but not that it is a skilled occupation.  The shortage occupations list will be created next month and will form part of the new tiered immigration system which will be implemented in the autumn.

Skilled migrants are being positively encouraged to move to the UK to fill vital positions in all sorts of skilled areas.  Visit www.workingin-uk.com for information on how your skills might help you migrate.

It’s official!  In May this year the total number of immigrants to enter the UK since the Labour Government took office hit 1.2 million.  That’s a lot of people.  A lot of people who realised what opportunities were available for them in the UK.  A lot of people now taking advantage of the skills shortage in the UK, filling vital vacancies and enjoying the satisfaction of knowing they are appreciated for what they do.  A lot of people enjoying the heritage and history and beauty of the British landscape and culture.  A lot of people benefiting from the amazing health and education systems available to all residents and citizens.

If the idea of moving to the UK excites you, check out www.workingin-uk.com for jobs, visa information and advice on where you might want to live.  There is a new fulfilling life waiting for you, 1.2 million people have already realised it, what are you waiting for?

The UK’s Minister for Immigration, Liam Byrne, has announced a new levy for people applying for Citizenship and it isn’t as high as many were expecting - just £60.

The levy has been introduced to counter the rising level of expenditure that public services, such as the police and councils are having to raise to cope with the impact of current immigration policy.

At the same time, other changes were announced including the plan to knock up to two years off the time it takes to qualify for citizenship for migrants who take part in community work and charitable endeavours.

The UK is currently suffering from a skills shortage.  Perhaps you can help?  If you have skills and experience in areas deemed to be in demand, you may be able to migrate to the UK very easily.  Check out www.workingin-uk.com for information and advice.

Hot on the heels of securing 6 month visa free entry to the UK for New Zealanders, after the British government threatened to reverse a long standing agreement, Prime Minister Helen Clark has also safeguarded the ancestral visa rights afforded to kiwis with British grandparents. 

The British government had been toying with the idea of removing the visa privileges which allow New Zealanders with British grandparents to live and work in the UK for up to five years and have traditionally given many kiwis an obvious start point to the traditional ‘OE’ (overseas experience).

“It reflects the huge goodwill towards New Zealand in Britain,” Miss Clark said.

The UK is a fabulous place to live and work, as many Kiwis will attest, with access to vast amounts of culture and with Europe on its doorstep.  For information on all that the UK has to offer, visit www.workingin-uk.com.

For the first time in 30 years the UK has been rated outside the top 5 world leaders for innovation, according to the World Intellectual Property Institute.  And at the same time a report from the Information Age Partnership (IAP) i2010 working group highlighted the UK’s urgent need to encourage more skilled workers into the IT and research and development industries if the country is going to hold off growing competition from China. 

If you have IT skills and an interest in migrating to the UK to be part of an industry recognised for its excellence, you couldn’t have chosen a better time.  Go to www.workingin-uk.com for immigration information and highlights of what the UK can offer you.

As part of an initiative by the Star Alliance network to have all of its carriers based at one location at Heathrow by 2012, Air New Zealand has moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1.  For many visitors and migrants, particularly those from New Zealand, the move presents a friendlier welcome to the UK than Air New Zealand’s previous base. 

As Scott Carr, Air New Zealand’s European general manager said: ‘Our new home at T1 is an exciting move for us, and will enable our passengers to benefit from the transformations already underway in the terminal, including a simple, easy to use check-in which will reduce congestion and create quicker processing times, a refreshed arrivals area and immigration hall, and upgraded baggage system.’

A smart, smooth operating welcome at Heathrow!! One less headache in your immigration plans!  The UK is actively looking for skilled migrants to help relieve labour shortages - take a look at www.workingin-uk.com.

For music lovers there is nothing like the festival line up throughout the summer in Britain.  From the massively popular and often mud-clogged Glastonbury to the more intimate and wondrously family orientated Camp Bestival, held in a real castle in Dorset, there is something for everyone, no matter what your taste in music.  There are festivals throughout Britain, from Wales to Ireland, the Isle of Wight to the West Country. 

Festival season runs from June to October and features some of the biggest names in music.  Click here for a taster of the 2008 season and start planning your indulgences for next year. 

The UK is in need of skilled workers in all sorts of areas.  If you are interested in migrating it may be easier than you think and by the time the next music festival comes round you could be living in the UK and be spending your weekends enjoying some of the best entertainment in the world.

The Global Talent Index Survey, conducted by consultancy firm Heidrick and Struggles suggests that the good reputation of Britain’s Universities is responsible for the rise in overseas migrants taking up positions in the UK’s Higher Education sector.  It is estimated that 20% of academics are now non-UK nationals which the report suggests is also partly thanks to the government’s Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.  Language posts are the most likely to be filled by international academics, with mathematics and sciences also strongly represented. The report suggests that in many of these areas, international staff are taking jobs that institutions would struggle to fill by relying on recruits from the UK.

The UK needs teachers and academics at all levels of education. Do you have teaching skills and experience?  Why not look at www.workingin-uk.com to see whether there might be a job for you in the UK?

New plans for sponsored non-EU visitors’ visas are being announced by the British government.  They include a guarantee of quicker processing times for applications and approvals just as long as stricter sponsoring family checks are passed.  These checks are to include financial, criminal record and immigration examinations.  Liam Byrne, Immigration Minister, has also emphasised the penalties applicable to sponsor families whose sponsored visitors overstay remain tough and can include fines of up to £5,000 and up to 14 years in prison.

Make sure you enter the UK with the right paperwork and knowing everything you need to know!  Check out www.workingin-uk.com for heaps of information and helpful links.