Feedback on past consultations

The level of an annual limit on economic migration

The Migration Advisory Committee [MAC], which advises the government on migration issues, ran a consultation on the level of the first annual limit on economic migration to the UK by nationals of countries outside the European Union. This consultation looked at the levels at which the limits should be set for the first full year of their operation. The MAC consulted on, and is considering, the economic, social and public service impacts of migration in developing its advice. For full details about the MAC consultation, go to:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/mac/mac-consultation-annual-limit/

Response:
The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership has sent a response to the MAC, which you can download using the link below. This response has been shaped by discussions at a Partnership consultation event held in August 2010 at which a MAC representative presented the main proposals. The event was attended by 37 representatives of over 23 organisations from a range of sectors and client groups across Yorkshire and Humber. We've also consulted with our Strategic Migration Group, as well as drawing on internal expertise within the Partnership.  

See also: Limits on non-EU economic migration - UK Border Agency consultation.

Review into ending the detention of children for immigration purposes

A ministerial review began on 1 June 2010 with the aim ‘to consider how the detention of children for immigration purposes will be ended’. The review is now closed, and the UK Border Agency [UKBA] review team has gathered views from over 100 partner organisations and the public. The review team will collate these views and produce a report with recommendations for the Immigration Minister.

More information, including the terms of reference for the review, is available on the UKBA website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/26-end-child-detention

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership's response to the review can be downloaded using the link below. For more information about the Partnership's response, please contact Pip Tyler, Research and Policy Manager by email pip.tyler@migrationyorkshire.org.uk or by phone: 0113 395 2438

Health consultations

Refusing entry or stay to NHS debtors - UKBA consultation on a proposal to change the immigration rules so that permission to enter or stay in the UK can be refused if a migrant is subject to immigration control and is in debt to the NHS above a prescribed amount. The consultation set out how UKBA would work in partnership with the NHS to administer these new arrangements.
See www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/nhs-debtors/

Review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals - Department of Health consultation on proposed changes to the regulations on charging overseas visitors for hospital treatment, and a proposed requirement for overseas visitors to hold health insurance.

Response:
The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership wrote a consultation response to the Review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals. You can download it here: YHRMP health consultation response June 2010  [84KB - pdf format]. This response was shaped by consultation with health professionals within Yorkshire and the Humber who form a Migrant Health subgroup within our regional Strategic Migration Group.

Yorkshire and Humber consultation on asylum support

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership has written a regional response to the current UK Border Agency [UKBA] consultation about reforming asylum support. While we encouraged all those working in the field of asylum to respond directly to UKBA's consultation, we also wanted to submit a response based on the views of those in the Yorkshire and Humber region: this allowed us to give a wider view of the possible effects of the consultation proposals upon asylum seekers and supporting organisations in our area. We invited people to send in views and comments to us, and we held a regional consultation event [jointly organised with UKBA] on 18 January 2010.

Background information 
A regional briefing on the reforming asylum support proposals is available to download from our policy briefings section at www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk/?page=policydetail&itemid=51

Earning the right to stay: a new points test for citizenship

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 created an ‘earned citizenship’ process. This created a new ‘probationary citizenship’ stage which must be passed before applying for full citizenship [instead of an automatic right to apply for citizenship based on length of residence in the UK].

To develop the ‘earned citizenship’ process, the UK Border Agency [UKBA] launched a consultation paper on 3 August 2009, ‘Earning the Right to Stay: A new points test for citizenship’. This consultation sought views on:

• introducing a new points test for earned citizenship, to better manage the numbers allowed to settle permanently in the United Kingdom
• delivering the earned citizenship system in partnership with local authorities
• supporting those who are on the path to citizenship to integrate into their new communities
• managing the impacts of migration on the developing world

Background information
The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership has produced a briefing document Earned Citizenship: YHRMP briefing February 2010 [Word document, 90 KB]

Finding Sanctuary, Enriching Yorkshire & Humber: Draft Integration Strategy for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Yorkshire & Humber [2009 – 2011]

The draft strategy was produced as part of the work of the Refugee Integration Programme. It covered six subject areas :

1. Housing
2. Health
3. Employment and skills
4. Safety
5. Community and society
6. Children and young people

The consultation process has now finished, but you're welcome to contact Dave Brown if you still have any comments you would like to make on this.

Result / response documents:

 A summary of the refugee and asylum seeker consultation for the strategy can be downloaded from the Refugee Integration Programme archive page.

The final strategy was published in June 2009, and can be downloaded from the refugee integration strategy page.