There was mention of “Covid passports” a few weeks ago and the UK government is still debating whether these should be enforced when entering certain places such as pubs. However, around the world, other countries are making plans of their own. EU pass: Digital Green Certificate EU leaders have approved the idea of a “Digital
The Irish government has announced a national remote working strategy which aims to ensure “that remote working is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.” The government aims to make remote working a mandatory norm for 20% of the public sector and are looking to
The UK government first announced the furlough scheme during the first lockdown in March 2020. This allowed employers to continue paying employees although they could not work due to the pandemic. The scheme pays 80% of employees’ wages for time they cannot work. During the “budget speech”, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced changes to the furlough
The UK government published the latest Statement of Changes on 4th March 2021. The changes are due to come into force on 5th April 2021. The notable changes include the following: Skilled worker route: Minimum salary: The minimum salary must equal or exceed £25,500 per annum, £10.10 per hour and the “going rate” for the
New unsponsored highly skilled migrant visa During the “budget speech” Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans for a new unsponsored high skilled migrant visa. By launching this visa route, the UK government aims to attract highly skilled migrants “to help rebuild” the UK’s economy after COVID. The Chancellor announced this as part of his £65 billion
While the UK government has set out a “road map” to lifting coronavirus restrictions, many people are wondering whether they will be able to travel to Europe this summer. Boris Johnson has announced that by 17th May 2021 at the earliest, UK hotels may open and international travel resumed. For Brits, the end may be
The UK government has made it their mission to vaccinate as many people as possible in a certain time period in the fight against the coronavirus. As such, the government has mapped out dates in which restrictions may be lifted as a result of the success of the vaccine programme. However, the bottom line is,
Changes to the foreign worker rules in Flanders have been announced by the Belgium government which will come into force on 1st March 2021. The changes are said to simplify the bureaucracy involved in the immigration process for foreign workers in the Flanders region of Belgium. Key changes: Short term work– a worker who commutes
Lately there have been numerous changes to travel rules. As of 15th February 2021, additional restrictions have been put in place for people travelling to the UK. Current travel restrictions Currently, it is illegal to travel abroad from the UK for leisure purposes. You cannot travel unless you have a legally permitted reason to do
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government has put in place “quarantine hotels” for those travelling into the UK. From 15th February 2021, all those allowed to enter England who have travelled through or from a country in the last 10 days where travel to the UK is banned (red list countries) must
The UK government has introduced a COVID Visa Concession scheme (CVC) which is aimed at those individuals who are outside of the UK and either had leave to remain or were seeking to apply to stay in the UK. The concession scheme applies to those who left the UK before 17th March 2020 and due
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for an employer or future employer to discriminate against individuals based on disability. The Act defines a disability as being “a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long term negative effect on your ability to do daily activities.” “Substantial” refers to an impairment which is
We are now living in a world that is so connected, it is easy to communicate with someone on the other side of the globe and movement between countries is the norm. With COVID, many of us are working from home. 2020 has taught us that, providing you have an internet connection and a laptop,
After a brief relaxation of the rules over the Christmas period and many areas across the UK moving into Tier 4, the UK faces yet another national lockdown as the struggle with COVID-19 continues into 2021. Unlike the last lockdown in November 2020, schools, colleges and universities will be closed, with exams said to be
The UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, since then there have been endless debates and negotiations back and forth. After a turbulent time, the UK and European Union agreed a deal which came into place on 31st December 2020. From 1st January 2021 new rules came into play for everyone, including EU nationals
