U.K. IMMIGRATION

The British Government (or at least the Conservative part of it) is obsessed with reducing net migration into the U.K. My earlier posts outlined the scale of the problem, and how difficult it will be to achieve stated goals. But that doesn't mean that they aren't trying anyhow.

One way of doing so is to shift part of the burden of policing immigration, namely tackling illegal working, onto companies. Under the current rules, contained in an 84-page document, employers have to check whether passports and other identity documents are in order, and confirm that the employee's relevant visa is up to date, and covers the type of employment. The fine for non-compliance is a fairly hefty £10,000. However, under new legislation currently wending its way through Parliament, that fine will be doubled, though the list of acceptable documents will supposedly be reduced. Health services will also be required to check, since illegals will have to pay for healthcare instead of getting it for free.

I don't like these proposals, but could they work? The Minister steering the bill, Mark Harper, has just resigned. Despite carrying out checks on her documentation, he had employed as a cleaner someone who later turned out to be an illegal immigrant. Nobody is suggesting that he knowingly employed an illegal immigrant. By resigning promptly, he has shown himself to be an honourable man, a rarity in modern politics.

However, being honourable is one thing, having a workable policy is another. Mr. Harper has been working on this for a long time, probably 24/7 or close to it. If he can't get on the right side of the law, what chance is there for a hard-pressed small business owner with four employees?

Walter Blotscher