PEN briefing for House of Lords

Posted March 8th, 2011 by English PEN staff & filed under Campaigns.

On Thursday 10th March 2011, the House of Lords will debate the impact of the points-based visa system:

“To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the points-based visa system introduced in November 2088 as it affects non-European Union artists, performers, academics and others intending to work in the United Kingdom.”

The motion has been tabled by Nicholas Trench, Earl of Clancarty.

Ahead of the debate, English PEN has published a short briefing for Lords on this issue, about which we have grave concerns. You can download the briefing as a PDF.

Last year, PEN joined the Manifesto Club in presenting a petition of over 10,000 signaturesto Number 10 Downing Street. Later that day we hosted an event with Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Lord Tim Clement-Jones on the issue. Since then, PEN has met with UK Border Agency officials where we have had an opportunity to express our concerns, on behalf of international writers.

Originally posted with the url: www.englishpen.org/aboutenglishpen/campaigns/visasfornoneuartistsandacademics/lords-briefing-visas/