Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Keith Vaz elected to head UK's committee on immigration and visas

Britain's longest serving British Asian MP Keith Vaz has been elected to serve as the head of a new parliamentary committee to deal with issues concerning immigration and visas
Vaz, 60, who has served in parliament for 30 years will be joined as an Officer of the Group by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who will be the vice chair for the group and Martyn Day, a Scottish National MP who will serve as Secretary
The group will look at the work that is being done on a number of areas concerning immigration and visas
"As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, issues of Immigration come to the fore. The Home Office in the UK is still suffering from a backlog of hundreds of thousands of cases. In addition, there are thousands of Indian-origin citizens who are now Portuguese citizens and residents of the UK who need urgent clarification of that status," Vaz said
"It is imperative that we get a grip on the immigration and visa situation. There is concern that visa decisions are now being taken in New Delhi rather than in Mumbai and concerns that once you apply in Sylhet in Bangladesh you have to have your visa granted in New Delhi," he said
"We are also very concerned about the decline in the number of Indian students coming to study in the UK. We want to know why this has happened. It is hoped that this new Parliamentary Committee will help cut red tape," he added
Britain chose to leave the European Union on June 23 last year in Brexit referendum with 52 per cent voting in favour of exiting the 28-member bloc.

More For You

JD Vance’ childrens

JD Vance’s children charm the crowd in traditional Indian attire upon their arrival in Delhi, capturing hearts across social media

Sansad TV

JD Vance’s children steal the spotlight in traditional Indian wear on their first visit to Delhi

On a sunny Monday morning in Delhi, US Vice-President JD Vance’s children made an instant impression, not through speeches or policy, but through the simple warmth of tradition. As they stepped off the plane, dressed in Indian ethnic wear, they quietly stole the spotlight.

Eight-year-old Ewan wore a simple grey kurta with white pyjamas. His younger brother, five-year-old Vivek, stood out in a bright yellow kurta. Their youngest sibling, three-year-old Mirabel, looked vibrant in a teal anarkali suit with a matching jacket. The trio became instant favourites among photographers, and their pictures quickly spread across social media, with many calling the gesture a sweet nod to Indian culture.

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-tributes

Members of various faith communities light candles as they pay respects in front of a portrait of Pope Francis during a condolence meeting in New Delhi on April 21, 2025. (Photo; Getty Images)

Getty Images

Tributes for Pope Francis led by UK, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Leaders from the UK, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were among the first to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.

The Pope led the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and was widely acknowledged for his efforts towards peace and social justice.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-school-breakfast-iStock

A school with 50 per cent participation could receive up to £23,000 annually, according to the government. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

750 schools to pilot free breakfast clubs from Tuesday

FREE breakfast clubs will begin at 750 schools across England from Tuesday as part of a government trial running until July.
The programme will offer parents of primary school children half an hour of free morning childcare.

The Department for Education said breakfast clubs play a role in tackling child poverty and are part of its plan to reduce barriers to opportunity. Schools will receive a set-up payment and will be reimbursed based on attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-francis-getty

Cathedral staff set up an image of Pope Francis inside The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in central London on April 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

From Sede Vacante to Habemus Papam, what happens after the pope dies

THE DEATH of Pope Francis on Monday has triggered the Catholic Church’s established process for selecting a new leader.

This includes a transition period followed by the election of a new pope by the cardinals.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD-Vance-Getty

JD Vance Lands in India, Begins Four-Day Diplomatic Visit

getty image

JD Vance lands in India for his four-day visit

US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit, during which he is scheduled to meet prime minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes as India looks to secure a trade deal with the US and avoid increased tariffs.

Vance's visit, which includes family engagements, will also see discussions with Modi. He is expected to review the progress made on issues agreed upon during Modi’s February meeting with US president Donald Trump in Washington, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less