Seven Arrested In Immigration Scam Investigation

Seven people, including five lawyers, have been arrested as part of a major investigation into a group of solicitors suspected of facilitating illegal immigration into the UK. Around 75 UK Border Agency and police officers were involved in a series of early morning raids on 14 addresses across London earlier this month. They took place at four locations in Lewisham, and addresses in the Eltham, Rainham, Bexley, Clapham, Camberwell, West Dulwich, Abbey Wood, Sydenham, Croydon and Enfield areas. The raids follow a lengthy investigation by the agency's London immigration crime team. All seven suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration into the UK. Six were questioned and bailed pending further enquiries, while one man was granted immigration bail pending his removal from the UK. In addition, IT equipment and documents were seized from a number of locations and will now be examined. Detective Inspector Karl Amos, from the London Immigration Crime Team, said: “This operation was the result of a complex and extensive investigation. Evidence we have seized will be examined and our enquiries will continue. Immigration crime can be big business. Gangs are frequently highly-organised and use sophisticated methods. That is why the UK Border Agency now has police and immigration officers working together to disrupt the criminal networks which help fuel illegal immigration.”

Government Action To Save Small Firms £40m

No small firm will have to have independently audited accounts any longer, Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced, saving 42,000 businesses £40 million per year. One of the barriers to growth is the burden of regulation. It takes up time and stops business growing and that means our economy does not grow. The Business Secretary outlined changes to regulation in one area which is a massive burden to business – producing accounts. Small businesses in particular often suffer the most under the burden of bureaucracy. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “It’s important that we free small firms up so they can grow and drive the economy. The changes I have announced mean that small firms will be able to concentrate on growing and taking on more people instead of paperwork.” The Government recognises the need for high standards in audit and accounting and will focus on taking action in three areas: Firstly the small company audit and account rules are stricter in the UK than is required by EU law; Secondly for even smaller businesses (with less than 10 employees) Government will push for exemptions to remove the requirement to produce two sets of accounts; Thirdly for medium sized businesses Government will push for EU restrictions to be lifted so that they no longer need their account independently audited and; Finally, Government will look at relaxing the audit and accounts rules for subsidiaries.

'Jest In Time' For NI

The UK and Ireland's leading men in comedy commissioning have touched down in Northern Ireland in their latest bid to capture comedy gold. Northern Ireland, best known these days for it's unique sense of humour, has certainly produced some comedy geniuses in the past with the likes of Frank Carson, Jimmy Cricket and more recently Patrick Kielty, Jimeoin and Colin Murphy. However as the slow economy hits many were it hurts, it seems that laughter is truly the best medicine and there has never been a better time for belly laughs. With that in mind, Northern Ireland Screen hosted a free comedy workshop, titled 'Jest In Time', on Friday at Queens Film Theatre. This event was a unique opportunity for local talent to meet the Kings of comedy face to face and gain valuable direction in comedy writing and production. The sell out seminar focused on accessing and targeting comedy commissioning, current and upcoming opportunities for comedy commissioning, and how the comedy commissioning processes work within the broadcasters. The one off workshop, which took the form of a panel event, was moderated by Stuart Kemp, European Editor of The Hollywood Reporter. Professionals on the panel included: Pete Thornton, Commissioning Editor of Comedy Central, Kristian Smith, Executive Editor of Comedy Commissioning at BBC Comedy, Eddie Doyle, Commissioning Editor at RTE Entertainment and Music, Sam Ward, Commissioning Editor at Sky Comedy, and Shane Allen, Head of Comedy at C4.

(BMcN/GK)