PLANS to cut migration risk being sabotaged by the European Convention on Human Rights, a review warns.
Raising the salary threshold for British citizens and settled migrants wanting to bring in a spouse on a family visa could breach international law, it says.
The Migration Advisory Committee said lifting the bar to £38,700 — the current threshold for skilled worker visas — was unrelated to family migration.
It was likely to break protections under Article 8 of the ECHR, which could trigger UK court challenges.
But it is understood Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will reject the advice and press ahead with tougher rules.
The previous Tory government came up with the planned rise to help cut net migration by 300,000.
After taking office, Ms Cooper ordered a review of the plan, saying the system must be “fair and coherent”.
The MAC has now recommended a lower threshold of £23,000 to £25,000.
It warned the £38,700 figure was copied from a different visa route, the skilled worker system, which has “a completely different objective and purpose”.
Sticking to that figure, the review says, may spark challenges on Article 8, which guarantees family life rights and is used to overturn immigration decisions.
A Home Office source insisted: “The MAC offered advice but it’s a decision for the Home Secretary.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “If the ECHR stops us from setting our own visa rules, we should leave the ECHR.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are considering the findings and will respond in due course.”
TEMPLEGATE takes on Tuesday’s action looking for winners.
Back a horse by clicking their odds below.
COMPETIZIONE (3.30 Salisbury, nap)
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes over from Rab Havlin on this three-year-old who has improved with every run for the Gosdens. He missed his juvenile season and badly needed his debut at Newmarket in April before going down in a tight finish at Donny. He hit the crossbar at Chelmsford 19 days ago and looks ready to win. This trip suits and he’s progressive.
VIBRANT PEARL (5.40 Catterick, nb)
Has been second on both starts, including in a photo last time out. She enjoyed the drop back to five furlongs there but stayed further on debut and that stamina could be an asset in the holding conditions. She doesn’t need much more to get off the mark.
JACK SPARROW GREY (6.50 Fontwell, treble)
Has won all three starts at this track by growing margins. He sees out this trip strongly and his rider’s 5lb claim can help defy the handicapper again.
LAUDABLE (6.10 Catterick, Lucky 15)
Was rusty on return before taking a big step forward when second at Ayr three weeks ago. He has winning form at this tricky track and has dropped to a handy weight.
Templegate’s tips
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Domhnall Gleeson is stepping into new comedic territory with The Paper, a fresh mockumentary series from The Office creator Greg Daniels. The show had already sparked comparisons to its iconic predecessor. Gleeson, however, is approaching the role with his own spin, and with some words of wisdom from familiar faces. While The Paper carries the […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
A DAD-OF-TWO has claimed he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a “dirty” 4-star hotel.
Richard Moore, 55, began to suffer from a fever and chest pains after returning from a holiday in Turkey with partner Julie, 50.
Richard, a chef, became so ill that he had to be rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma.
His wife and kids were told by medical staff that he may not survive the ordeal.
Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, Richard needed five days of intense hospital treatment which included antibiotics and an IV drip.
Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: “This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef.
“Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life.
“As a result of the memory loss, I can’t recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong.
“I’m lucky to be alive but it’s so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live.
“I never realised Legionnaires’ disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers.
“I wouldn’t want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into.
“If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently.
“I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was.”
Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey.
After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated.
He also noticed that the room felt damp and had a grim fusty smell.
He said: “I can’t specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower.
“The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking.”
Days after returning to the UK, Richard began suffering from severe flu-like symptoms.
On August 30 he developed chest pains, a shortness of breath and a fever and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
He spent a whole month in hospital and has been unable to start at his new job as an executive chef.
Richard still struggles with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires’ disease.
He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires’ disease.
Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: “Richard’s first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing.
“Legionnaires’ disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear.
“As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term.
“Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we’re determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves.
“Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it’s vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease developing.
“As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Champion Holiday Village Hotel, Turkey.”
A THREE-HOUR flight to a Brit holiday hotspot turned into a nightmare 32-hour saga, with passengers left vomiting with no food.
The Condor flight DE1234 was embarking on what was supposed to just be a simple flight from Zurich to Heraklion in Crete, Greece – but lasted over a day.
Despite taking off half an hour late, the flight seemed to be on course to reach its destination.
And after two hours, the plane began its initial descent to the holiday hotspot Greek isle.
But trouble began when the plane’s landing was hindered by powerful winds, forcing it to spend hours circling round before the pilot decided to divert to Athens and refuel.
The plane landed at the Greek capital at 11:24am – a whopping three hours after it originally departed Zurich.
Around two-and-a-half hours later, the crew made another attempt to get the 137 people onboard to Heraklion – but this wasn’t achieved, again.
During the flight, many passengers were reportedly vomiting due to the terrifyingly powerful winds.
And to add fuel to the fire, flyers were only given a glass of water during the whole flight.
With weather conditions remaining severe, the plane circled around again before getting diverted to Kos to refuel.
On the nearby Greek island, they landed at 3:28pm after a tiring, hour-and-a-half long flight.
And with the aircraft again running low on fuel, another divert was made to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece.
Here it was finally decided that passengers and flight attendants should spend the night.
The plane touched down at 6:04pm – an unbelievable 11 hours after initially leaving Zurich.
Passengers were reportedly forced to pay for their own hotel rooms but are entitled to reimbursement under European aviation guidelines.
After a nights sleep, the next day at 9am, one last attempt was made to get to Crete – but wind continued to hinder their journey.
Another diversion was made to Athens where it was agreed to give up and fly back to Zurich – 32 hours after their initial departure.
Condor reps said: “Due to extreme weather conditions and strong winds, takeoffs and landings at Heraklion Airport were only possible to a limited extent.”
