International

Have money, migrate to Britain

LONDON: In a classic case of money speaking louder than merit, anyone with £1 million in the bank and willing to invest some of their “dosh” in Britain can now hope to literally buy their way into this country even if English language sounds Greek to them.

Under new immigration plans, ostensibly designed to ensure greater integration of prospective immigrants into British society, it will be compulsory for anyone who wants to come and live in Britain to pass an English language test even before their application is considered.

But an exception is proposed to be made in case of rich businessmen on grounds that the money they would bring into this country outweighs the little difficulty of their lack of sufficient knowledge of English.

Apparently, the move follows representations by foreign millionaires, notably Russians and Japanese, who are willing to invest pots of money in Britain but don’t know enough English and are reluctant to be lumped with lesser mortals on this issue.

The otherwise tough-talking Immigration Minister Liam Byrne is reported to have been sufficiently moved by their plight to propose an exception in such cases.

Those who have £1 million in a “regulated financial institution” and provided the money is “disposable in the U.K.” are proposed to be exempted from the English language test.

To make up for their lack of knowledge of English, they would be required to invest at least £750,000 in Britain within three months of their arrival here.

Disclosing the proposal, The Daily Telegraph on Friday quoted Mr. Byrne as saying that millionaires brought jobs and investment to Britain and it would not be a good idea to “shut them out”.

Officials sought to play it down saying that such people would be still required to meet all other requirements.

“You could not win the lottery and then just show up at a U.K. airport asking to be let in,” one official said.

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