Time for your June round up of all things Free Movement - and Barry is back! In this month's episode both Sonia and Barry divulge some rather niche interests, while discussing the second latest (!!) statement of changes, the Migration Advisory Committee's review into the minimum income requirement, the legal aid crisis (the increase was announced the day of recording) and impact on the tribunals. They also looked at difficulties for both Afghan women and Ukrainians seeking protection in the UK. Cases included a mystifying decision by some legal representatives to ignore a helpful email from the Home Office, some guidance on bringing Cart judicial reviews under the new restrictions, a certificate of travel refusal and more!

The 37 minute long podcast follows the running order below:

Statement of changes (01:30)

Statement of changes: HC 836 sees changes to permitted absences for EU Settlement Scheme

Asylum (02:40)

The Home Office is refusing Ukrainians’ protection claims and telling them to leave the UK

Legal aid crisis worsens with shortage of immigration and asylum advice throughout the UK

Immigration tribunal appeals backlog up 80% to 90k outstanding cases 

The uncertain future for Afghan women seeking asylum

Tribunals “required to use common sense” in claims of monitoring by a foreign state

Court of Appeal finds Home Office justified in refusing certificate of travel

Family (16:30)

Committee advises against further increase to minimum income requirement for families

Procedure (22:05)

Lawyer error results in invalidity of settlement application Court of Appeal finds jurisdiction in Cart judicial review under “natural justice exception”

Work routes (28:12)

High Court rules sponsor should have been given chance to make representations before licence revocation

Visitors (29:42)

Upper Tribunal upholds Home Office decision that visitor intended to reside in UK through “frequent and successive visits”

Immigration Advice Authority (32:15)

What can you do as a Level 1 Immigration Advice Authority adviser?

Updated (33:30)

What are the continuing professional development requirements for immigration lawyers?

Briefing: the support system for migrant victims of human trafficking

Briefing: the seasonal worker visa

What safe and legal routes are available for refugees to come to the United Kingdom?

Should refugees claim asylum in the first safe country they reach?

What is the difference between refugee status and humanitarian protection?

Top tips for making complex refugee family reunion applications

Briefing: What rights do refugees have under the Refugee Convention?