“This proposal was the flagship policy in the Chancellor's speech to the Conservative Party Conference. Indeed in today's budget he announced further sweeteners. “This humiliating defeat reflects the near universal thumbs-down it has received from business and unions. Some employers have said that employment rights should not be for sale, and many others have said that they simply see no use for the scheme as anything other than a tax dodge.”
O’Grady added:
“The margin of defeat - a big victory for union campaigning - suggests that ministers should quietly abandon this policy.”
The Government will now have to decide whether to overturn the defeat in the Commons.
ADVANCED LEVEL & HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS - FUNDING GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS
2 April 2013
The National Apprenticeship Service have produced a guide for employers on Advanced Level or Higher Apprenticeships for employees aged 24 or over.
The Funding Guide for Employers looks to provide an overview of funding available for employees aged 24 or over who are taking an Advanced Level or Higher Apprenticeship.
ALL CHANGE AT THE UK BORDER AGENCY
4 April 2013
The Border agency is to be split into 2 separate entities as part of a package of measures set to improve the performance of the immigration system. The 6 April 2013 will also see an increase to UK Visa Fees and an updated Code of Practice for Skilled Workers.
Further changes will include the removal of its agency status and the move of both new organisations - an immigration and visa service and an immigration law enforcement organisation - under the Home Office to report to ministers. The IT systems are also set to see improvements which will be made across the whole immigration system along with clarification of the policy and legal framework within which the system operates through an Immigration Bill in the next session of Parliament. The agency has also announced that as from 6 April 2013 there is to be an increase in UK visa fees UK Visa fees . Following Parliamentary approval, the fees will increase for visa applications made from overseas and all applications submitted from 00:01 (UK time) on Saturday 6 April, must be accompanied by the correct fee. Any application accompanied by the old fee will not be accepted however, applicants can use an old version of an application form for 21 days following the increase, but these should be accompanied by the new fee . New versions of the application forms will be available on the UKBA website. An updated version of Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers to be used from 6 April 2013 is also available at the UKBA website. This document is aimed at employers who are looking to sponsor a migrant through the Points-Based System. It mainly applies to Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) categories. However, it also applies to some parts of
CIPP Policy News Journal
12/04/2013, Page 333 of 362
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