Pope Francis Prays for Migrants in his Easter Message

Cynthia Barker writes...I watched Pope Francis today on television talking about the plight migrants in his Easter message, delivered to thousands of people in St Peters Square in the Vatican, Rome. He said:

"Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely professing their faith."

The 77 year old Argentinian Pope also called attention to people suffering from hunger, war, violence, and disease around the world, asking for peace and reconciliation in different areas of conflict.

Addressing an estimated 150,000 pilgrims the Pope prayed for the people of Syria, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Nigeria, South Sudan, Venezuela, and Ukraine.

This year the liturgical calender unusually coincides with the Orthodox churches of Greece and Eastern European countries such as Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.

A very Happy Easter to you all, especially those migrants who are separated from their loved ones.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 020 8731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is an OISC registered Immigration Adviser with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

UK Government Urged To Encourage More International Students

Cynthia Barker writes...phew, busy day here in London! Lot's to report on UK immigration and jobs.

This week the Government are being urged by a House of Lords committee to do more to encourage non-EU international Tier 4 students to study in the UK. In recent years, overseas students have been put off studying in the UK by tough Home Office rules and the fact that Tier 4 students, who are temporary migrants, are being included in Government targets to slash net migration.

Surprise surprise, the Home Office clamp down on overseas students is having a negative effect on numbers studying in Britain, much to the delight of universities and colleges in the US, Australia and Canada.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said that Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) students coming to the UK to study has fallen by a staggering 10%.

Meanwhile, London's economy is booming and employment prospects growing. The capital has always been a magnet for immigrants because there are always job vacancies, especially in the care and catering sectors.

Wages are also rising as the UK economy gets into gear after a long period of slow growth.

Industries such as care are not so vulnerable to the up's and down's of the economy or boring stock market figures! The sector, which includes hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care providers, always need staff and care managers, as they have a never ending supply of clients.

Jobs are being taken by EU or EEA nationals from countries such as Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, but the demand for nurses with NMC PINs and experienced care support workers still outstrips supply.

Strict Home Office work permit rules under Tier 2 of the Points Based System should be relaxed to allow employers to recruit care workers from outside the EU. Otherwise, we will see an even greater staffing crisis in the NHS and private care sector which will put patients at risk.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 020 8731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is an OISC registered Immigration Adviser with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

UK is a Land of Opportunity for Jobs and Free Courses

Cynthia Barker writes...Good morning on another gorgeous sunny day in London! I have to mention the weather as we don't get too much sun here, which is why the British people are always complaining about it.

Apart from the weather, there shouldn't be too much to complain about if you live in a 'land of opportunity' like the UK, should there?

In theory, no, yet the fact is so many British born people spend half their lives moaning about Britain and complaining about the lack of opportunity!

Yes, it's true, some Brits cannot see all the opportunities they have to progress and are not even grateful for being fortunate enough to have been born in one of the greatest countries on earth. Shame on you.

Try telling that to the guy who hangs on to the axle of a lorry just to set foot on British soil, or the family which spends thousands of pounds applying for permanent residency (ILR) or British citizenship - just to remain in the UK indefinitely.

There are millions of jobs in the UK and, if you lack work based skills, thousands of free vocational courses and inexpensive online courses.

London Cactus College has just announced another load of free Health and Social Care courses where employers and employees can take anything from a 1 day Dementia Awareness course to an NVQ/QCF at level 2, 3 or 5, right up to a Level 7 Diploma - which gives you 67 credits towards a full Bachelors Degree or Masters!

Health and Social Care is one of those industries that will never go 'out of fashion', and hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care providers will always need people - not machines - to look after sick, elderly and mentally ill clients.

There is now a huge shortage of carers and nurses in the UK and it's only a matter of time before international mass recruitment will have to take place in countries like the Philippines - where there is a surplus of nurses and care givers.

Come on all you people looking for jobs or a new secure career, what are you waiting for?

Some EU funded, courses are are also open to EU or EEA nationals from countries such as Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. Newest EU members, Croatians are restricted from working in the UK, but can work and study on a yellow card permit. After one year they can apply for permanent residence or blue card.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 020 8731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com.  Cynthia Barker is an OISC registered Immigration Adviser with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.