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Changes to the national shortage occupation list for work permits
London:With effect from 18 March 2008, 38 healthcare-related occupations will be removed from the national shortage occupation list for work permits.
These changes to the national shortage occupation list for work permits follow research conducted by the NHS workforce review team on behalf of the Department of Health.The team reviewed all current healthcare occupations included on the list in light of the latest labour market research and skills needed in the healthcare sector. The review covered the whole of the United Kingdom and involved discussions with relevant key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. The recommendations of the review were discussed and agreed by the Healthcare Sector Advisory Panel.
All work permit applications received for the listed posts on or after 18 March 2008 will now need to be subject to a full resident labour market test. Employers will be required to submit evidence that the posts have been advertised, with full details of people who applied and were interviewed, and why resident workers were not considered suitable.Work permits will still be issued for these occupations if, following advertising, no suitably qualified resident candidate has been found. |
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Centre launches special service for Overseas Indians
New Delhi : The Centre on Tuesday launched a special service for registered overseas Indians enabling them to change personal details in their certificates or apply for duplicate documents if the originals have been lost.
There have been many demands for duplicate Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards or for effecting the change of details in the certificates. More than 1,99,500 certificates have been issued till January 1, 2008 two years after the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme was made operational.
"We had a lot of pendency of people reporting that their OCI cards had been lost or that they want to change photograph," said a senior official of Ministry of Home Affairs.
There were no procedures in place to deal with such applications, said the official.
A press release of the Ministry said the online supplementary service was launched on Tuesday for all registered OCIs.
"It is expected that the launch of OCI miscellaneous services would address the problems faced by registered OCIs in obtaining new set of documents," said the ministry.
The services can be availed if the applicants want new passport, change of nationality, replacement for lost OCI certificates, filing of personal particulars and change of address or occupation.
The OCI miscellaneous service has been made available on the Home Ministry's website www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm.
After submitting the application online, a hard copy along with enclosures has to be submitted to the local Indian embassy or consulate, which will issue a file number to the applicant by mail that can be used to check the status of the enquiry online. |
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| Birmingham City Council is to set up 'India Desk |
Birmingham: The Birmingham City Council in the UK has decided to set up an 'India Desk' to promote trade and cultural links with the South Asian country. 'India Desk' is being set to attract investment from leading Indian companies, including the Tata Group, and promote cultural links between the two sides, Mike Whitby, Leader of the Birmingham City Council, said .
He said he would soon lead a high-level business delegation to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "I am looking forward to go to India," Whitby said.
During the trip, the delegation will hold talks with Singh, visit Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jallianwallah Bagh and the India-Pakistan Wagha border.
Describing Birmingham as a "global city with a local heart," Whitby said Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosle's restaurant in the city "The Asha's" has become a landmark and doing roaring business.
He said Birmingham, which has the best symphony hall in the world, is also the gateway to Europe. "At present there is a direct flight between Amritsar and Birmingham City".
Birmingham has about 60,000 people of Indian origin, mostly with family links in Gujarat and Punjab. They account for six per cent of the city's total population.
According to Whitby, Indian students are amongst the highest number of overseas students studying at three universities in Birmingham.
"Birmingham City University - teacher training, and Aston-Business School have particularly strong links," he said. Birmingham schools are involved in British Council sponsored curriculum development projects with their Indian counterparts, he said |
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| Education is bigger worry for parents than sex life |
London: British parents trust their children's judgment on when to lose their virginity more than that on leaving the education system. Some 46 per cent of parents surveyed for educational foundation Edge said they would happily rely on their offspring's decision on when to first have sex.
But just 41pc would trust their children to decide when to leave a traditional academic education for work or vocational courses.
Despite this apparent determination to control their child's learning choices, less than a quarter of parents feel they know enough about education options and a third say they are unable to speak freely with their children about their ambitions.
Professions parents wanted their children to pursue include lawyer, doctor and scientist, but they acknowledged that their children would prefer jobs in Web design, fashion and entrepreneurship.
Garry Hawkes, chairman of Edge, said the survey pointed to a "worrying communication break-down."
Commenting on the research, behavioural psychologist Donna Dawson said: "Young people need to feel that they can be open with their parents about everything, from choices about sex to career choices, and parents must be prepared to accept their views and take their opinions into consideration - even if they do go against traditional perceptions." Research firm ComRes surveyed 5,271 parents of children aged 11 to 15 online for the research. |
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Young Britons back monarchy, would like William as king
London:Young Britons overwhelmingly back the monarchy and would like to see Prince William to be the next monarch, of whose girlfriend Kate Middleton they also wholeheartedly approve, an opinion poll showed Friday.A poll of 1,004 young people, aged between 18 and 24, showed that nearly 70 percent want to keep the royal family, even though half of them believe the British royals do "not provide value for money".
The survey, commissioned by Discovery Channel, also found that Prince William, 25, was voted as the top choice for the next monarch - rather than his father, Prince Charles, who is heir to the throne.
Despite Queen Elizabeth II, at 81, being the oldest monarch on the throne in British history, 81 percent of those questioned do not want her to step down.
Prince William, who is currently doing a spell in the armed forces, is the most popular member of the royal family among 18 to 24 year-olds, with 70 percent wanting him to rule.
His girlfriend Kate Middleton, with whom he is back after a split last April, appears to be a hit with young Britons. Over 80 percent thought that she would be a good addition to the royal family.
However, the wife of Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, is still having to struggle for public recognition after her marriage to Prince Charles in 2005, the survey showed.
Only 50 percent of those asked believed that the Duchess - the former Camilla Parker Bowles - was a "good ambassador" for the royal family.
She appears to be suffering most from the "Diana factor", with almost 70 percent of those asked saying they still had more admiration for Diana than for Camilla - her love rival.
"Camilla is still facing an uphill struggle for public acceptance. Diana - particularly with the inquest into her death - continues to make headline news and this poll reflects the fact that many people are unwilling ever to forgive or forget the hurt caused to the princess," said Jennie Bond, the BBC's former royal correspondent
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