{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&_page=0&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMemberPrinted.=Stuart+C.+McDonald&max-ddpModified.=2016-05-11T11%3A09%3A01.871Z&AnswerDate=2016-05-05", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517064", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517064/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Recognised shortage occupations are exempt from the £35,000 threshold as are PhD level roles. In other cases the Government believes that it is reasonable to require Tier 2 skilled migrants to earn a minimum of £35,000 to be eligible to settle in the UK. Tier 2 workers are in graduate-level roles, and £35,000 reflects the 2011 median pay for UK workers in skilled jobs which qualified for Tier 2.<\/p>

Employers and visa holders have had time to prepare. The previous Government announced in 2012 that, from 6 April 2016, Tier 2 visa holders who applied for settlement in the UK would be required to meet the £35,000 threshold. The Home Office published a full impact assessment on proposed changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>

Skills are a devolved matter. In England we are supporting 3 million more apprenticeships in this Parliament, including degree apprenticeships and more at the higher levels. We are also focussing on the higher level skills employers demand by introducing ground breaking reforms to technical and professional education to support sectors where there are recognised skills gaps, and establishing national colleges to deliver high level specialist vocational skills.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3995", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Boles"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Grantham and Stamford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Boles"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-05-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-05-10T11:21:42.873Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Skilled Workers: Vacancies"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans his Department has to help fill potential skills shortages resulting from the £35,000 income requirement for settlement of Tier 2 skilled workers over the next five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4393", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart C McDonald"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stuart C. McDonald"} ], "uin" : "36237"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517211", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517211/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. The impact assessment is available on the gov.uk website at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf.<\/p>

Alternative routes available for Tier 2 workers unable to meet the minimum earnings threshold would depend on their individual circumstances. For the most part, economic migrants who wish to change their basis of stay in the UK are expected to leave and re-apply for an alternative visa from their home country. However, in-country switching is permitted in some categories, for example into Tier 1 routes aimed at high value migrants.<\/p>

Tier 2 migrants who apply for settlement and do not meet the requirements will be refused. Those who do not qualify for an alternative route and have reached the maximum period of limited leave allowed under Tier 2 should make plans to leave the United Kingdom. Any migrant who has over stayed the validity of their visa or otherwise failed to regularise their stay in the UK may be removed if they refuse or fail to leave of their own volition. They may also be liable to prosecution under the Immigration Act 1971.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Brokenshire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Old Bexley and Sidcup"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Brokenshire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-05-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "36235"} , {"_value" : "36236"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-05-11T10:37:47.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Visas: Skilled Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Tier 2 skilled workers leaving the UK (a) voluntarily or (b) otherwise involuntarily as a result of the new £35,000 income requirement for settlement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4393", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart C McDonald"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stuart C. McDonald"} ], "uin" : "36238"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517212", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517212/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. The impact assessment is available on the gov.uk website at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf.<\/p>

Alternative routes available for Tier 2 workers unable to meet the minimum earnings threshold would depend on their individual circumstances. For the most part, economic migrants who wish to change their basis of stay in the UK are expected to leave and re-apply for an alternative visa from their home country. However, in-country switching is permitted in some categories, for example into Tier 1 routes aimed at high value migrants.<\/p>

Tier 2 migrants who apply for settlement and do not meet the requirements will be refused. Those who do not qualify for an alternative route and have reached the maximum period of limited leave allowed under Tier 2 should make plans to leave the United Kingdom. Any migrant who has over stayed the validity of their visa or otherwise failed to regularise their stay in the UK may be removed if they refuse or fail to leave of their own volition. They may also be liable to prosecution under the Immigration Act 1971.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Brokenshire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Old Bexley and Sidcup"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Brokenshire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-05-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "36236"} , {"_value" : "36238"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-05-11T10:37:47.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Entry Clearances: Migrant Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what other migration routes or visas are available to a Tier 2 worker earning under £35,000 other than visas requiring participation in full-time education or marriage.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4393", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart C McDonald"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stuart C. McDonald"} ], "uin" : "36235"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517213", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/517213/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. The impact assessment is available on the gov.uk website at:<\/p>

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdf.<\/p>

Alternative routes available for Tier 2 workers unable to meet the minimum earnings threshold would depend on their individual circumstances. For the most part, economic migrants who wish to change their basis of stay in the UK are expected to leave and re-apply for an alternative visa from their home country. However, in-country switching is permitted in some categories, for example into Tier 1 routes aimed at high value migrants.<\/p>

Tier 2 migrants who apply for settlement and do not meet the requirements will be refused. Those who do not qualify for an alternative route and have reached the maximum period of limited leave allowed under Tier 2 should make plans to leave the United Kingdom. Any migrant who has over stayed the validity of their visa or otherwise failed to regularise their stay in the UK may be removed if they refuse or fail to leave of their own volition. They may also be liable to prosecution under the Immigration Act 1971.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Brokenshire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Old Bexley and Sidcup"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Brokenshire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-05-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "36235"} , {"_value" : "36238"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-05-11T10:37:47.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Visas: Skilled Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to enforce the new £35,000 settlement threshold for Tier 2 skilled workers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4393", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart C McDonald"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stuart C. McDonald"} ], "uin" : "36236"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 4, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }