Latest news with #SeemaMalhotra
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Windrush commissioner pledges to fight for justice for marginalised groups
The newly appointed Windrush commissioner has promised to expand his remit, to fight for justice for a wider spectrum of marginalised communities who have experienced discrimination in housing, education, employment and policing. At a launch event on Wednesday, Clive Foster will tell the immigration minister, Seema Malhotra, that he does not intend to perform a public relations role for the government. 'Many people were broken by the betrayal, hurt and displacement caused by a scandal that has left a stain on the social conscience of the nation,' he will say, adding that he will challenge officials until they complete 'unfinished work' and fulfil their commitments to those affected. Some commentators have cast Foster's new role as a 'Dettol commissioner', responsible for cleaning up the government's mess. Responding to this scepticism, Foster will tell an audience of members of the Windrush generation at Hackney town hall that his job will be 'to confront uncomfortable realities, not conceal them'. 'If I am to be seen as a Dettol commissioner, as some have called me, let it be in the spirit of healing and protection, not sanitising the truth,' he will say. 'Moral outrage still burns within me for people who had the legal and moral right to be here but were denied that.' Foster, a pastor from Nottingham, was named by the Home Office as Windrush commissioner in June and starts work this week. His appointment fulfils a promise made by the former home secretary Priti Patel to implement a series of recommendations designed to introduce comprehensive reform of the Home Office in the wake of the Windrush scandal, in which thousands of people, many of them from the Caribbean, were wrongly classified as immigration offenders despite having spent most of their lives in the UK. Foster plans to widen his role to address wider injustices, in addition to his core responsibility as 'a champion of the Windrush generation's legacy, ensuring this generation is remembered for their contribution – not just for a scandal'. He will say: 'What began as a fight for justice for the Windrush generation has become a mirror reflecting the broader struggles faced by Black Britons and other marginalised communities. People have come forward not only with experiences of immigration injustice but with experiences of discrimination in housing, education, employment and policing. I want to ensure these voices are heard in the places where change happens.' A number of applicants to the Windrush compensation scheme have seen their applications rejected because they had applied under the misapprehension that the scheme would offer compensation not just to people wrongly labelled as immigration offenders but also to those who had experienced racist treatment in the course of their working lives or during their education in the UK. Applicants often viewed the compensation scheme as an 'opening to express the longstanding hurt and pain they feel about discrimination', Foster told the Guardian. 'They want to express how discrimination and structural racism has affected them over the years. We need to create a space for those voices to be heard and ensure that the right action is taken.' Foster noted that there remained 'suspicion and apprehension' towards the Home Office among the Windrush generation and their descendants, and said some people were still wary about coming forward to apply for citizenship documentation. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion More than 8,000 people have received documentation from the Home Office confirming that they are living in the country legally. About £112m has been paid out across 3,334 compensation claims, in recognition of the extent to which people's lives were upturned by the Home Office's decision to categorise those affected as illegal immigrants. Some of those affected by the Home Office's mistakes were wrongly deported, others were detained, lost their jobs and homes or were denied access to pensions and free NHS treatment. The compensation scheme has been repeatedly criticised for being slow to resolve claims, and at least 64 people have died after submitting claims for compensation. Foster's parents moved from Jamaica to the UK in 1959. His mother worked as a nurse for the NHS and his father worked in factories and mines. 'This is personal for me,' he will say.
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
UK ministers urged to pass bill protecting DEI whistleblowers
Ministers have been urged to pass legislation that would protect whistleblowers who expose employers who flout forthcoming UK diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) laws. The equality (race and disability) bill, which the equalities minister Seema Malhotra has described as part of the government's 'absolute' commitment to DEI, is expected to be published this year. As law, the bill would compel employers with more than 250 staff to reveal whether white and non-disabled staff are paid more than Black, minority ethnic and disabled employees, in the same way that employers have to report gender pay gaps. It is also expected to establish an equal pay regulatory and enforcement unit to prevent pay discrimination and could compel employers to produce action plans on what they are doing to improve equality. Responses to the consultation, which is being used to shape the bill and closed in June, include proposals that legislation protects whistleblowers who report employers hiding pay gap information. The proposal is in stark contrast to what is unfolding in the US, where under Donald Trump's presidency, officials have urged 'private parties' to help them identify 'illegal' DEI programmes, including financial incentives for those who file whistleblower claims against federal contractors trying to tackle racial inequality. The UK whistleblower proposal has been made by the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) – whose founders in 2021 included the foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the broadcaster and academic David Olusoga. In partnership with Sky, BEO runs F100 Growth Fund, which supports Black entrepreneurs – who in the UK and the US account for less than 1% of venture capital investment – with funding and mentoring, and has been pressing ministers to 'tackle racial inequality at source' through pay gap reporting. In its submission to the government's consultation, the BEO said: 'Any final enforcement regime should include the ability to issue public notices, making public the names of companies who fail to submit their ethnicity pay gap reports. 'Support for whistleblowers is also essential', it added, and there should be 'a confidential channel for employees who report concerns to ensure they are not penalised.' The BEO also urged government to ensure pay gap data is fully disaggregated to reflect 'important differences in experiences and outcomes' between Black and minority ethnic groups, and called for mandatory pay gap reporting to be extended to employers with more than 50 staff, to cover lower-paid workers in smaller companies, which the TUC federation of trade unions has also called for. In its submission to the consultation, the TUC said: 'If the legislation is to be effective … it needs to apply to the majority of workplaces.' The new equality bill comes amid political backlash against fairness measures – represented by Reform UK and the conservative Blue Labour faction of the Labour party – inspired by Trump's attacks on DEI. In the US, measures trying to tackle racial inequality have been labelled 'discriminatory'. In May, a Department of Justice memo said the False Claims Act would be used against federal contractors 'knowingly engaging in racist preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities, including through diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that assign benefits or burdens on race, ethnicity, or national origin,' promising 'sharing in any monetary recovery' to whistleblowers who bring successful anti-DEI lawsuits. A UK government spokesperson said it was 'committed to introducing disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting into legislation in the king's speech. Our consultation on mandatory reporting has now closed and we are reviewing all of the responses'.
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
UK ministers urged to pass bill protecting DEI whistleblowers
Ministers have been urged to pass legislation that would protect whistleblowers who expose employers who flout forthcoming UK diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) laws. The equality (race and disability) bill, which the equalities minister Seema Malhotra has described as part of the government's 'absolute' commitment to DEI, is expected to be published this year. As law, the bill would compel employers with more than 250 staff to reveal whether white and non-disabled staff are paid more than Black, minority ethnic and disabled employees, in the same way that employers have to report gender pay gaps. It is also expected to establish an equal pay regulatory and enforcement unit to prevent pay discrimination and could compel employers to produce action plans on what they are doing to improve equality. Responses to the consultation, which is being used to shape the bill and closed in June, include proposals that legislation protects whistleblowers who report employers hiding pay gap information. The proposal is in stark contrast to what is unfolding in the US, where under Donald Trump's presidency, officials have urged 'private parties' to help them identify 'illegal' DEI programmes, including financial incentives for those who file whistleblower claims against federal contractors trying to tackle racial inequality. The UK whistleblower proposal has been made by the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) – whose founders in 2021 included the foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the broadcaster and academic David Olusoga. In partnership with Sky, BEO runs F100 Growth Fund, which supports Black entrepreneurs – who in the UK and the US account for less than 1% of venture capital investment – with funding and mentoring, and has been pressing ministers to 'tackle racial inequality at source' through pay gap reporting. In its submission to the government's consultation, the BEO said: 'Any final enforcement regime should include the ability to issue public notices, making public the names of companies who fail to submit their ethnicity pay gap reports. 'Support for whistleblowers is also essential', it added, and there should be 'a confidential channel for employees who report concerns to ensure they are not penalised.' The BEO also urged government to ensure pay gap data is fully disaggregated to reflect 'important differences in experiences and outcomes' between Black and minority ethnic groups, and called for mandatory pay gap reporting to be extended to employers with more than 50 staff, to cover lower-paid workers in smaller companies, which the TUC federation of trade unions has also called for. In its submission to the consultation, the TUC said: 'If the legislation is to be effective … it needs to apply to the majority of workplaces.' The new equality bill comes amid political backlash against fairness measures – represented by Reform UK and the conservative Blue Labour faction of the Labour party – inspired by Trump's attacks on DEI. In the US, measures trying to tackle racial inequality have been labelled 'discriminatory'. In May, a Department of Justice memo said the False Claims Act would be used against federal contractors 'knowingly engaging in racist preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities, including through diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that assign benefits or burdens on race, ethnicity, or national origin,' promising 'sharing in any monetary recovery' to whistleblowers who bring successful anti-DEI lawsuits. A UK government spokesperson said it was 'committed to introducing disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting into legislation in the king's speech. Our consultation on mandatory reporting has now closed and we are reviewing all of the responses'.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
What are the new UK immigration rules as major reforms to come into effect this month?
Immigration rule changes have been made in a bid to cut the number of foreign nationals coming to live in the UK Immigration is the word on everyone's lips at the moment. From the UK Government issuing a warning to citizens travelling to the US, to a recent crackdown on illegal working in Scotland, the issue is pertinent - and ever-changing. Now, in just a few short weeks, a suite of new immigration rules could be implemented in the UK. The proposals, unveiled on Tuesday, July 1, apparently aim to reduce the number of foreign nationals settling in Britain. Politicians have claimed that robust strategies are essential to train and hire UK workers, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper indicating that the government intends to totally revamp the existing immigration framework. "We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years," Yvette Cooper stated. "These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK." So, what are the new UK immigration rules? The forthcoming measures will halt overseas recruitment for social care positions and increase salary thresholds for skilled foreign workers. The baseline minimum salary for obtaining a Skilled Worker visa is set to climb from £38,700 to £41,700. In addition, the minimum salary for those holding a relevant PhD will rise from £34,830 to £37,500. If sanctioned by MPs, the initial changes will take effect from Tuesday, July 22. As per the Standard's report, the government plans to roll out a new temporary jobs shortage list for sub-degree level roles that are crucial to key infrastructure projects, valid until the end of next year. These individuals will no longer benefit from salary and visa fee reductions. They will not have the privilege of bringing family members to the UK, either. "The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas from occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 and above, approximately A-level skills, to occupations at RQF level 6 and above, mainly graduate professions," Seema Malhotra, Migration Minister, said. "Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data, ahead of an upcoming thorough review of salary requirements (including discounts) by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)." In the meantime, the government has warned it "will not hesitate" to restrict immigration access further "should there be clear signs of abuse and exploitation in sectors." Further changes to be implemented by the end of this year include raising the immigration skills charge, cracking down on people's level of English before entering the country, and setting out a new family framework. The government has also committed to abolishing the previous government's immigration salary list. The minimum salary is currently 80 per cent of the route's usual minimum rate to qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa. The government will announce further measures on asylum and border security later this year, too. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UK to end care visas, hike salary limit for skilled foreign workers
The UK government has introduced the first round of stricter visa rules in Parliament, setting the stage for sweeping changes to how foreign skilled workers, including those from India, are recruited across sectors. These changes are set to take effect from July 22, 2025. Described as a 'complete reset' of the immigration system by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the measures were presented in the House of Commons on Tuesday as part of the Immigration White Paper released in May. What's changing from July 22 3. Higher salary thresholds based on latest ONS data 4. Over 100 roles removed from the shortage list 5. Critical roles on the temporary list will lose fee and salary discounts 6. No dependants allowed for shortage-list workers 7. Skilled workers already in the UK exempt from new qualification requirement Care visas to be scrapped, salary bar raised One of the biggest shifts is the closure of overseas recruitment for care workers. From July 22, new applications for social care roles from abroad will no longer be accepted. However, care workers already in the UK will be allowed to switch visas within the country until July 2028. There will also be a rise in both the salary and skills thresholds for foreign workers applying under the Skilled Worker route. The new rules mean that most jobs will now require at least a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification. 'Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data,' said Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, in a written statement to the Commons. 'A full review of these salary levels will be carried out by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), including any discounts.' Over 100 roles will be removed from the shortage occupation list, which previously offered relaxed visa conditions. Jobs such as chefs and plasterers are among those being taken off. From now, only a limited number of roles considered 'critical' will qualify for temporary access below graduate level. The government has asked MAC to review this new 'temporary shortage list' — including whether these roles should remain on the list beyond 2026. Workers in these occupations will no longer get fee or salary discounts and will not be able to bring dependants. Skilled workers in the UK won't be affected by new rules Those already in the UK on skilled worker visas won't be required to meet the new graduate-level qualification threshold. The government says this approach allows a smoother transition while it tries to shift the system away from low-paid, overseas hiring. 'These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK,' said Yvette Cooper. She added, 'We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years.' According to the Home Office, this reset is meant to reduce reliance on foreign recruitment for lower-paid roles and encourage upskilling within the UK workforce. Measures include: • Raising the skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas, removing 111 eligible occupations • Closing the social care worker visa route to overseas recruitment in response to widespread abuse and exploitation • Only allowing time-limited access below degree level through a targeted immigration salary list and temporary shortage list, for critical roles only, with strict requirements for sectors to grow domestic skills • Commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review of the temporary shortage list including occupations, salaries and benefits Further changes expected later this year include an increase in the immigration skills charge paid by employers and stricter English language rules for visa applicants.
