Government sets December 2028 back-stop as Afghan Resettlement Programme enters wind-down phase
France begins at-sea interceptions of Channel migrant boats after new £662 million UK-funded deal
Immigration Advice Authority issues April newsletter with new guidance on EU Settlement Scheme and adviser regulation
Latest News
Sponsor compliance takes centre stage as April Statement of Changes tightens salary and secondment rules
A 27 April briefing by Abbiss Cadres explains how the April 2026 Statement of Changes has shifted sponsor compliance onto a pay-period basis, meaning any month in which a sponsored employee earns below the occupation-rate may trigger enforcement action. The update also shortens overseas-service prerequisites for Secondment Workers, introduces quotas for Indian Service Suppliers, and raises the English-language bar for settlement from March 2027. UK employers must review payroll processes and assignment planning immediately to avoid licence downgrades or civil fines.
Stansted Express services hit by London Liverpool Street points failure, highlighting airport-rail resilience gap
A points failure at London Liverpool Street between 08:17 and 10:20 on 27 April delayed Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services, disrupting airport access for morning flights. The incident, coming days before planned strike action at Stansted, highlights ongoing vulnerability in the rail link relied upon by business travellers. Travel managers should build contingency road transport into itineraries and ensure duty-of-care platforms capture live rail disruption alerts.
Parliamentary scrutiny begins on new Immigration, Nationality and Passports (Fees) Regulations
The Lords have listed the draft Immigration, Nationality and Passports (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, opening a 40-day window in which either House could block above-inflation increases to visa, nationality and passport fees. Unless annulled by 12 May, Skilled-Worker, ETA and ILR costs will all rise, intensifying cost-of-hire pressures on UK employers and international assignees.
UK employers urged to get ahead of tougher immigration rules as language and salary tests bite
A People Management feature published today says language and salary rule changes introduced in 2026 turn the UK’s post-Brexit points-based system into a far stricter regime for employers. Sponsors now face a per-pay-period salary test, higher English requirements and the prospect of further threshold hikes—making early workforce planning essential.
Sponsor guidance update tightens monthly salary checks and expands Youth Mobility quotas
April sponsor-guidance amendments impose month-by-month salary compliance, enlarge Youth Mobility quotas and introduce a quicker six-month service test for secondments. Law-firm advisers warn that documentation lapses could now trigger immediate licence loss.
UNISON campaigns against 15-year settlement plan for migrant care workers
At rallies in Birmingham, UNISON blasted government plans to extend the ILR qualifying period for overseas care workers to 15 years, warning the move risks deepening the UK’s social-care staffing crisis and deterring new international recruits.
Regulator’s April newsletter previews consolidated guidance and new EU Settlement Scheme checks
The IAA’s April newsletter, published today, signals major changes for regulated immigration advisers: a single consolidated guidance manual, a public-awareness campaign against rogue advisers and an upcoming automated status-upgrade phase for EU Settlement Scheme holders.
Parliamentary answer signals new asylum-accommodation data release for 21 May 2026
A Commons written answer states that fresh asylum-accommodation statistics will be published on 21 May 2026. The figures will indicate progress on moving migrants from hotels to purpose-built sites—data closely watched by local authorities and business-travel stakeholders.