Woman Charged After Fatal Fire

Police investigating a fire at Marine Tower in south east London, in which two women died on Friday have charged a woman over the incident. Sandra Clarke, 49, of Marine Tower, Abinger Grove, has been charged with manslaughter, arson with intent to endanger life and arson, reckless as to whether life was endangered. Her first appearance will be via virtual court today. On Friday 4 February police were alerted to a fire at Marine Tower, in Abinger Grove. Officers, London Fire Brigade (LFB) and London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. Two women, one aged 42, and an other aged 59, were pronounced dead at the scene. Next-of-kin have been informed. Whilst officers believe they know who the victims are, they await formal identification. Post mortem examinations confirmed that both women died as a result of the fire. A 49-year-woman was arrested on 4 February in connection with the investigation and was subsequently charged.

Crime Gang Jailed For £38 Million Fraud

Seven men have been sentenced to over 40 years for their part in stealing £38 million in a ‘missing trader’ tax fraud which used the import of mobile phones and computer parts to manipulate the VAT system. A further two will be sentenced in the coming weeks. Six of the men were convicted following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, two pleaded guilty to the offences prior to trial and a ninth man who also pleaded guilty is currently serving a six and a half year jail term for similar offences. The multi-million pound attack on public funds in 2005, was uncovered by criminal investigators from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) who unravelled a complex conspiracy of deceit involving a chain of companies both here and abroad set up solely for the purpose of stealing money from the UK government. Confiscation proceedings are underway and properties worth in excess of £2.5 million have been restrained including a Spanish holiday home.

Changes Recommended For Points Based System

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has today recommended a new shorter list of occupations eligible for migration under Tier 2 of the Points Based System. As part of its review of the immigration system, the government raised the threshold for Tier 2 visas to 'graduate level' and commissioned the MAC to examine which occupations should qualify.

 The government asked that the MAC use the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 and above as the relevant benchmark. This will reduce the number of occupations qualifying for Tier 2 visas by 71, down from 192 to 121. 

The shorter list of occupations means that Tier 2 applicants will only be able to apply for jobs covering the most skilled 39 per cent of the labour market rather than the current 56 per cent.

 Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, Professor David Metcalf, said:

 "Skilled foreign workers make a valuable contribution to the British economy but, in the context of limits on migration, it is essential that the immigration system is designed to select those migrants we need the most.

"We have recognised this by ensuring our recommendations will allow the most skilled to continue to come and work here."

 Among the occupations which would still qualify for entry under Tier 2 of the Points Based System are nurses, teaching professionals, civil engineers and finance and investment analysts. 

Occupations which were qualified as skilled to the old level but are not to the new one include retail managers, hairdressing and beauty salon managers, laboratory technicians, and estate agents.

(BMcN/GK)