Disability benefits to be overhauled, with “lesser mental health conditions” such as anxiety and depression to be targeted
The government has announced plans to significantly overhaul the way that disability benefits are paid through Personal Independence Payment reform (PIP). As part of the announcement , a consultation has been launched on proposals for moving away from a fixed cash benefit system. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously voiced his desire to […]
Rwanda declared a a safe country by Parliament, paving the way for asylum seekers removals
On the 25th of April 2024, the contentious Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, received Royal Assent and became law. The passing of this bill marks a big step forward for the UK government’s plans to remove asylum seekers to their chosen third country, Rwanda. The government has announced that the preparatory stages of […]
Government backs down on scrapping ground rent – what is the alternative?
We previously brought you the news that the government were planning to bring an end to ground rent following a consultation, with a number of options on the table. A number of news organisations have now reported that Michael Gove’s ambition to reduce ground rent to a peppercorn rate has been blocked by both the […]
The Innovator Founder Visa – a guide for applicants
The UK has a rich entrepreneurial spirit, with the likes of Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, and James Dyson all household names from the UK. It also has a proud history of welcoming immigrants to its shores, many of whom have founded successful businesses, whether locally or at a national level. The Innovator Founder Visa is […]
High Court refuses to reverse divorce order which was applied for by mistake
Imagine accidentally being divorced and unable to reverse it. This unfortunate scenario happened when a staff member at the law firm, Vardag’s, went to apply for a final divorce order for a client, but accidentally opened the file of Mr and Mrs Williams. Just 21 minutes later, the wrong couple was divorced. Mr and […]
Removal of Absence Requirement Marks New Era for 10-Year Settlement Applications – our analysis is proved right
Last month, we published an article following the release of the latest statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 590, which was issued on March 14 2024. In this article, we made observations about the absence of any mention that applicants for 10-year settlement must not exceed 548 days away after living in the […]
Should you enter a cohabitation agreement with your partner?
In today’s society, unmarried cohabitation is not uncommon. In the UK, there is no so-called “common law marriage”, which exists in other countries. Cohabiting couples do not have the protection of legal couples, and the issue of money can become a very sensitive one. Many decide to enter a cohabitation agreement as a solution to […]
New 2024 employment law changes take effect – what are they?
A number of key changes to employment law have taken effect as of the 6th April, greatly expanding the rights of workers in England and Wales. So, what additional rights do workers have due to the new legislation? Let’s take a look at the 2024 employment law changes introduced by the government. Right to request […]
Huge increase to skilled worker visa salary threshold takes effect
As of 4th April 2024, some big changes to the skilled worker route came into force. Most foreign workers will now need to earn £38,700 to obtain a skilled worker visa. This is a huge increase to the skilled worker salary threshold from the previous requirement of £26,200. These changes were initially announced […]
A Guide to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Checks for Homebuyers in the UK
In the UK, property buyers must adhere to stringent anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. The intention of this is to prevent the misuse of the property purchase for illicit financial activities by criminals. Understanding and complying with AML checks are essential for a smooth mortgage application process. Money laundering is used by criminals to hide the […]