Business and Other Briefings

HO: The government has announced that the number of potential posts open to skilled migrant workers will be reduced by around 270,000. Eight occupations have been cut from the shortage occupation list meaning that the number of jobs available to migrants will reduce from 500,000 to around 230,000. The shortage list covers occupations which are hard to fill with UK or EU workers.  The government has now commissioned the MAC to review shortages across the entire labour market to see if the list can be cut further.
Press release
 
HO: Foreign entrepreneurs & investors are being given extra incentive to come to the UK after the Home Office announced new visa rules that will reward those who will contribute to economic growth. Under the new rules, those who come to the UK and invest large sums of money will be given the right to settle permanently in the UK faster.  Entrepreneurs will also be able to settle in the UK more quickly if they create 10 jobs or turn over £5m in a 3 year period.
Press release ~ Written ministerial statement on changes to Tiers 1 and 2 of the Immigration Rules, settlement and asylum
 
BIS: The Government is launching a new portfolio of products to help businesses & support growth in the economy.  The new Solutions for Business (SfB) package has 13 products designed to help businesses identify & overcome key challenges as they grow & develop.  It will target activities where a Government lead is required, such as providing access to strategic advice, helping companies reach international markets and supporting innovation.
Press release ~ Solutions for Business - simplified business support
 
BIS: The IP offices of Australia, Canada & the UK and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) have launched a pilot system to make it easier to access results of search & examination from other offices.  The Centralized Access to Search and Examination system (CASE) provides a digital library of search & exam reports which can be shared by participating IP offices. 
 
CASE is the latest addition to the Vancouver Group Mutual Exploitation initiative which is aimed at eliminating unnecessary rework and duplication in prosecuting patent applications.
Press release and related links
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