Post
by Russsian » Sat Aug 28, 2004 2:58 pm
56. The Panel expressed concern about the delay in processing HSMP applications with the current turnaround time being 12 weeks.
57. WP (UK) indicated that the number of HSMP applications had increased 6 or 7 fold within the last year. The HSMP Team is now receiving 600 applications per week. This was partly due to the number of points required to qualify being reduced from 75 to 65 on 31 October 2003.
58. To alleviate this problem there were now two HSMP teams clearing cases and weekly updates were being placed on the ‘Working in the UK’ website to inform customers of the dates of the applications which are currently being processed.
59. The Panel asked if receipt of HSMP applications could be acknowledged.
60. WP (UK) indicated that an Action Plan to address current issues involving HSMP was currently being produced. This Action Plan would include a communication strategy.
61. The Panel asked when the Sector Based Scheme was likely to be reintroduced.
62. WP (UK) said that the Sector Based Scheme had been suspended temporarily, however no decision had been made about its reintroduction.
63. The Chairperson thanked members for their participation and informed members that membership of the User Panel will be reviewed following this meeting. A new panel will then be formed. This panel will be an amalgamation of the Work Permits (UK) and the Business User Panel, which has recently relocated from Croydon to Sheffield.
