Thursday, August 14, 2003

Boom, Bust and Echo

The latest UK census figures have recently been released, and many of the findings are similar to that of other Western countries. Namely, that the population is growing very slowly and that most of this marginal increase can be attributed to immigration. Based on the natural birth rate alone, the population increase is almost nil. In Scotland specifically, the situation is worse in that the population has actually decreased. Granted, the percentage decrease is quite small but if this continues the population of Scotland could fall below the 5 million mark within a few decades. The reasons for this are varied, including an ageing population, low natural birth rate, and a tendency for new immigrants to settle south rather than north.

So, what does this have to do with anything you may ask? Well, before the census data was released, there had been rumblings that the UK government would be limiting Working Holidaymaker visas (the visa that I currently have) to only one year (rather than two), getting in line with the visas offered by other Commonwealth nations. Instead, I recently received a notice from the British Home Office indicating that my visa status is to change in a different way starting the 25th of August.

Not only is the maximum age limit for the Working Holidaymaker visa being raised from 27 to 30, but all employment restrictions have been removed. Prior to this change, I would have legally not been able to work after one year in the UK but now I can work full-time for the entire duration of my visa. Even more interesting is that after 12 months in the UK, I can apply for a full work permit as long as I am sponsored by an employer. This comes as a huge boost to my future employment opportunities. I can personally attest to the fact that it is difficult to gain any long term (or meaningful) employment with the current restrictions in place. With these restrictions removed, it makes the Working Holidaymaker (as we are so lovingly called) look that much more employable to UK companies.

So did the census data prompt these new changes on Working Holidaymaker visas? Is it a means to fill in potential employment shortages within the UK? Potentially increase population by encouraging holidaymakers to stay? Or could it be a total coincidence? Most likely the latter, but I felt compelled to observe.

Anyway, on to other things. Kevin & Kathleen and their friend Troy arrived this weekend, right in the midst of a continuing patch of amazing weather. I had arranged to meet them at Glasgow airport, but unfortunately for us all their flight was heavily delayed. I can now attest to the fact that spending a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon in an airport is not the best way to pass the time. As good as The Herald newspaper is, you can only glean so much from it before you are sick of the sight of another Edinburgh Festival review or editorial on the ongoing Blair vs. BBC row (coming soon to pay per view).

But it all worked out Sunday, as we spent a great day in Pollok Park under cloudless skies. Highland coos (aka cows) and a baguette picnic lunch, you cannae beat it. On Monday, Fiona and I got ambitious and prepared a full haggis meal for our guests. And we're talking the real deal - haggis, neeps and tatties. That's haggis with turnip and potatoes for the rest of us. And this haggis came in an actual sheep's stomach - white and with veins - and it looked positively revolting. But after cooking it for an hour and bursting the stomach, it was actually quite delicious. Granted the term "bursting the stomach" and good meals are not usually synonymous - you'll simply have to take my word for it.

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