Lawmakers criticise HSMP alterations

Changes made by the government to the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP) have been heavily criticised in a new report by the Lords and Commons joint committee on human rights.

According to the investigation by MPs and peers, the alterations to the programme breach the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and are "unlawful".

The controversial changes to the scheme, which allows professional workers from countries outside the EU to live and work in the UK, have affected thousands of people, the majority of them from India.

"The committee concludes that the changes to the HSMP are clearly not compatible with the right to respect for home and family life under Article 8 of the ECHR and contrary to basic notions of fairness," the report states.

Campaigners claim that up to 49,000 workers could be forced to leave Britain after the rules governing the HSMP were tightened and a number of high profile figures, including London mayor Ken Livingstone, have voiced their opposition to the changes.

The parliamentary committee is placing fresh pressure on ministers to review changes to the HSMP, which have led to thousands of migrant workers facing an uncertain future.

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Date:15/08/2007 11:58:08