Kirsti M
@heritage-meisie.bsky.social
Scattering of Africa. Conservation, architecture, feminist and bibliophile. Usually found either in an archive, on a scaffold, in a ballet class, on a bike or up a hill. 🇿🇦in 🏴
South African airport lounges are so much better than European ones. Better quality food & drink. I will die on this hill. #proudlysouthafrican
December 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
South African airport lounges are so much better than European ones. Better quality food & drink. I will die on this hill. #proudlysouthafrican
This is very interesting…tome for the UK to do what my home country South Africa does in terms of professional regulation of architects and technologists. www.riba.org/news/riba-pr...
RIBA President will not renew ARB registration
President Chris Williamson has written to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to confirm that he will not be renewing his registration. Meaning from 2026, they will not be included on the UK’s reg...
www.riba.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is very interesting…tome for the UK to do what my home country South Africa does in terms of professional regulation of architects and technologists. www.riba.org/news/riba-pr...
Love an airport where there are free newspapers to tide over the long connection waits…happily surprised to get an English one in Frankfurt!
December 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Love an airport where there are free newspapers to tide over the long connection waits…happily surprised to get an English one in Frankfurt!
We’ve already earned our settlement, it’s so unfair to move the goal posts now.
In the short term, all categories of work migrants (including dependants) are fiscally positive.
December 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We’ve already earned our settlement, it’s so unfair to move the goal posts now.
Reposted by Kirsti M
The restrictions on work visa rules brought in in July are cutting immigration much more than predicted. Dependant numbers remain higher, but will fall over time as most will be dependants of immigrants already here.
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The restrictions on work visa rules brought in in July are cutting immigration much more than predicted. Dependant numbers remain higher, but will fall over time as most will be dependants of immigrants already here.
Reposted by Kirsti M
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
Reposted by Kirsti M
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
UK and US growth hindered by visa policies
A study has revealed that growth is being hindered by a dearth of local talent coupled with expensive visa processes, prohibiting the hiring of overseas skills.
www.personneltoday.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
Reposted by Kirsti M
The government's proposals to calculate settlement qualifying periods on a case-by-case basis will penalise migrants who get sick, are exploited or become destitute.
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Earned settlement proposals: An extraordinary betrayal of migrant communities | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The government's proposals to calculate settlement qualifying periods on a case-by-case basis will penalise migrants who get sick, are exploited or become destitute.
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
This is going to be interesting.
Revised net migration projection based on yesterday’s data, the new ILR policy and an expected gradual decline in dependant numbers (Currently dependant applications are double main applicant applications for work visas but this won’t last).
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
November 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This is going to be interesting.
Reposted by Kirsti M
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Reposted by Kirsti M
Great to hear Rachel Reeves acknowledge that "there are many reasons why people choose to have children then find themselves in difficult times. The death of a partner. Separation. Ill health. A lost job. I don’t believe that children should bear the brunt of that."
So why should migrant children?
So why should migrant children?
November 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Great to hear Rachel Reeves acknowledge that "there are many reasons why people choose to have children then find themselves in difficult times. The death of a partner. Separation. Ill health. A lost job. I don’t believe that children should bear the brunt of that."
So why should migrant children?
So why should migrant children?
Anyone know where the OBR got its migration figures from? Cos they say migration won’t change in direct contrast to @jamesbowes01.bsky.social, @sundersays.bsky.social & @jdportes.bsky.social ’s research. Seems the OBR hasn’t done its homework?
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Anyone know where the OBR got its migration figures from? Cos they say migration won’t change in direct contrast to @jamesbowes01.bsky.social, @sundersays.bsky.social & @jdportes.bsky.social ’s research. Seems the OBR hasn’t done its homework?
Reposted by Kirsti M
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Why does nationality matter, anyway?
Deciding someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is a bit weird
www.newstatesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Reposted by Kirsti M
This government will pursue a policy that is economically, morally and socially bad. Forcing people to only be eligible to settle after 10/15/20/30 years depending on how poor and marginalised you are. It will not address division. It will manifest a different, more harmful one.
November 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This government will pursue a policy that is economically, morally and socially bad. Forcing people to only be eligible to settle after 10/15/20/30 years depending on how poor and marginalised you are. It will not address division. It will manifest a different, more harmful one.
Have just clocked that the £50k number in the ‘earned settlement’ is based on UK tax brackets. But in Scotland, we move into the higher rate at £43k AND we pay 43% not 40%. So why don’t we get a reduction in yrs from £43k (seeing as our salaries are anyway lower than the Eng)?
November 23, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Have just clocked that the £50k number in the ‘earned settlement’ is based on UK tax brackets. But in Scotland, we move into the higher rate at £43k AND we pay 43% not 40%. So why don’t we get a reduction in yrs from £43k (seeing as our salaries are anyway lower than the Eng)?
The economic illiteracy of Starmer’s Labour knows no bounds… good thing there isn’t an aging population & falling immigration… oh, wait… www.ft.com/content/a212...
UK Budget’s pensions tax raid to raise over £3bn
Expected move by chancellor Rachel Reeves next week faces strong pushback from businesses
www.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The economic illiteracy of Starmer’s Labour knows no bounds… good thing there isn’t an aging population & falling immigration… oh, wait… www.ft.com/content/a212...
Reposted by Kirsti M
Definitely most will be. The figures I have for architects are £32,000-£36,000-£43,000.
I just clipped my list to the 20 most sponsored graduate level jobs for space (excluding public sector jobs where everyone will qualify in 5 years: doctors, nurses, teachers etc).
I just clipped my list to the 20 most sponsored graduate level jobs for space (excluding public sector jobs where everyone will qualify in 5 years: doctors, nurses, teachers etc).
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Definitely most will be. The figures I have for architects are £32,000-£36,000-£43,000.
I just clipped my list to the 20 most sponsored graduate level jobs for space (excluding public sector jobs where everyone will qualify in 5 years: doctors, nurses, teachers etc).
I just clipped my list to the 20 most sponsored graduate level jobs for space (excluding public sector jobs where everyone will qualify in 5 years: doctors, nurses, teachers etc).
Reposted by Kirsti M
Nobody "automatically gains settled status after five years".
The settled status scheme has closed.
Depending on type of visa you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You need to meet language requirements and pass the Life in the UK test
And be of good character.
It is not automatic.
The settled status scheme has closed.
Depending on type of visa you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You need to meet language requirements and pass the Life in the UK test
And be of good character.
It is not automatic.
Today’s anouncement is going to be devastating.
“Keir Starmer has vowed to curb net migration, with plans to force migrants to wait as long as 10 years to apply to settle in the UK instead of automatically gaining settled status after five years.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
“Keir Starmer has vowed to curb net migration, with plans to force migrants to wait as long as 10 years to apply to settle in the UK instead of automatically gaining settled status after five years.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Nobody "automatically gains settled status after five years".
The settled status scheme has closed.
Depending on type of visa you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You need to meet language requirements and pass the Life in the UK test
And be of good character.
It is not automatic.
The settled status scheme has closed.
Depending on type of visa you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You need to meet language requirements and pass the Life in the UK test
And be of good character.
It is not automatic.
Reposted by Kirsti M
Shabana Mahmood's proposal to stop being told to "go back home" is to send people "home". Her proposal to stop black and brown people from feeling like they don't belong, is to bake in to the immigration system that they will never belong.
November 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Shabana Mahmood's proposal to stop being told to "go back home" is to send people "home". Her proposal to stop black and brown people from feeling like they don't belong, is to bake in to the immigration system that they will never belong.
Absolutely gobsmacked at the new settlement rules. Basically no architecture firm outside of London will be able to employ architects/arch assistants now. 10 yrs of fees, ridiculous going rates...I get I Shabana, you want me out of here. Time to take my assets & skills and go!
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Absolutely gobsmacked at the new settlement rules. Basically no architecture firm outside of London will be able to employ architects/arch assistants now. 10 yrs of fees, ridiculous going rates...I get I Shabana, you want me out of here. Time to take my assets & skills and go!
I was so worried this would happen. Once architectural heritage is lost, it is lost forever. Not to mention the embodied carbon waste. But I guess Labour only care about winning the next election & not actually about long term consequences.
EXCLUSIVE: Labour ministers repeatedly overruling official listing advice
EXCLUSIVE: Labour ministers repeatedly overruling official listing advice
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I was so worried this would happen. Once architectural heritage is lost, it is lost forever. Not to mention the embodied carbon waste. But I guess Labour only care about winning the next election & not actually about long term consequences.
Reposted by Kirsti M
I don't understand how the government can think it is a good idea to *at the same time* make our labour market more rigid, increase the statutory wage floor, increase the cost of hiring at home and overseas! Obviously you should pick at most *two* to do at any one time.
October 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I don't understand how the government can think it is a good idea to *at the same time* make our labour market more rigid, increase the statutory wage floor, increase the cost of hiring at home and overseas! Obviously you should pick at most *two* to do at any one time.
I’m so sick of the narrative that migrants are cheap labour. Those of us on skilled worker visas are paid better than UK workers & we cost our employers more through UKVI fees. And all the fees & NHS surcharges we pay. Would be nice if the media reported that along with calling us ‘the #Boriswave’.
September 22, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I’m so sick of the narrative that migrants are cheap labour. Those of us on skilled worker visas are paid better than UK workers & we cost our employers more through UKVI fees. And all the fees & NHS surcharges we pay. Would be nice if the media reported that along with calling us ‘the #Boriswave’.