Month: March 2018

    A child might struggle later to prove the British citizenship to which he or she is entitled, said a researcher. Internationally blended families involving EU citizens and British-born children are being warned that their children could face serious problems after Brexit if they do not already have documentation to stay in the UK. Parents from the EU are being urged to get their children’s status documented as soon as possible if they want them to avoid hostile environment checks by the Home Office which could mean measures such as bank accounts being closed, driving licences cancelled and job offers being withdrawn. The consequences for those that have not obtained British citizenship for children of two EU citizens living in Britain are potentially severe, accordi...

    Britain will be strongly in favour of staying in the EU in just three years as society changes dramatically, academics warn today as the clock ticks down to one year until Brexit. Increasing education, greater ethnic diversity and new younger voters are poised to deliver a firm Remain majority as soon as 2021, as Theresa May’s planned transition deal is due to end. The country is expected to be 52:48 in favour of EU membership by 2021, according to the study by experts at the University of Manchester - and have a majority of 54:46 by 2026. The Brexit majority is fragile and on the wrong side of powerful demographic pressures, with Eurosceptic social groups shrinking over time while more Europhile groups expand, they write. All the Leave-leaning groups, such has sc...

    Sergei and Yulia Skripal first came into contact with novichok at their home address, detectives believe. Specialists have identified the highest concentration of the nerve agent on the front door of the address. Detectives will continue to focus their enquiries around the home address for the coming weeks, and possibly months, as the investigation continues. In a statement from the Metropolitan police, the force say officers will be carrying out thorough searches in the areas surrounding this former spy's home. The searches will be part of the ongoing investigation as well as a precautionary measure. At this point in our investigation, we believe the Skripals first came into contact with the nerve agent from their front door, deputy assistant commissioner Dean Ha...

    The best friend of Sergei Skripal believes the poisoned double agent and his daughter Yulia are so critically ill they should be allowed to die. Ross Cassidy, a haulage contractor, met Mr Skripal when he moved in next door in Salisbury in 2010, shortly after the Russian arrived in a spy swap with Moscow. He told Sky News: Quite frankly, what future have they got? I don't know the properties of this weapon that was used on them and my guess is they are probably being kept alive by artificial means and what life will they have if they survive? We've already been told they will be severely mentally impaired and I don't think they would want that. I think death would probably be merciful. Mr Cassidy got to know Sergei, his wife Lyudmila, his son Alexandr who was kno...

    British firms are worried about the loss of EU migrant labour after Brexit because their UK counterparts are lazier and take more time off work, an official government report has found. The Migration Advisory Committee found that workers from Europe are a high quality, eager workforce compared to UK-born workers, leading employers to rely on them instead. EU workers, especially those in low-skilled jobs, are also paid less. Businesses fear they will not be able to employ staff from the EU after Brexit, forcing them to spend more on less productive British staff which could drive up prices or force production abroad where it is cheaper. It could also impact the ratio of elderly people to youngsters and would very likely lead to lower growth, although it is unlikely...