Latest News

Latest Immigration News

• First virtual citizenship ceremony welcomed by Home Office minister
  Home Office Minister Kevin Foster attended the UK’s first virtual citizenship ceremony today.
• New working group launched to address challenges faced by Windrush generation
  The Home Secretary has launched a cross-government working group to address challenges faced by the Windrush generation and their descendants.
• Home Office extends bereavement scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers
  The bereavement scheme has been extended to the families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers who die as a result of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).
• NHS frontline workers visas extended so they can focus on fighting coronavirus
  Doctors, nurses and paramedics with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year.
• Visas extended for those currently unable to return home due to COVID-19
  Leave extended to 31 May for individuals who are currently unable to return home at the end of their visa.
• Landmark Immigration Bill to end free movement introduced to Parliament
  The bill will end free movement and give the government full control of UK borders for the first time in four decades.
• New Director General appointed to HMPO and UKVI
  Abi Tierney has been appointed as the new Director General of Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
• Home Secretary announces new UK points-based immigration system
  New points-based immigration system will open up the UK to the brightest and the best from around the world.
• Windrush Compensation Scheme extended by 2 years
  Changes are being made to the Windrush Compensation Scheme to make it more flexible and to keep it open for longer.
• More than 3 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme
  The milestone was reached less than a year after the scheme was fully launched to the public, with more than 2.7 million already granted status.

Latest Family Law News

• Family legal aid cases and expenditure fell significantly due to Covid-19
• MIAMs between April and June 2020 down 20 per cent on a year ago
  Mediation outcomes decreased by 21 per cent
• Latest MoJ statistics set out the impact of Covid-19 on family court activity
  New cases started in family courts down 13 per cent between April and June 2020
• Revised expert witness guidance issued by Legal Aid Agency
• Proposed changes to children in need and children looked after by local authorities outcome statistics
• 167 opposite-sex civil partnerships formed on first day permitted by law
• Retirement of Sir Ernest Ryder, Senior President of Tribunals
• New public law cases received by Cafcass fell by 2 per cent in August
• New private law cases received by Cafcass in August marginally higher than 2019
• International child abduction unit: request for co-operation form updated

Latest Employment News

• If you are one of the Elves working over Christmas, what are your rights?
• Acas Response to ONS gender pay gap statistics
• Acas launches new guidance for employers to help manage the impact of menopause at work
• Acas launches new guidance for students planning to work while at university
• Acas comment on pet bereavement at work
• Acas offers guidance for young people going straight into work after A-levels
• Acas issues tips for employers to manage the hot weather at work
• Susan Clews responds to Government's NDA announcement
• New annual report reveals continued high demand for Acas' conciliation service after removal of tribunal fees
• Acas response to the Government's consultation on single enforcement body for employment rights