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16/03/2011
Other UK News In Brief
Minister Responds To Visa System Report
The National Audit Office has published a report into the points based system for immigration. It finds that the system is well designed, but recommends that the UK Border Agency should improve its IT systems, and introduce exit checks which make it clear when someone has left the country. Damian Green said that he is committed to making improvements. He said: “This report is exactly why we are making radical reforms to the system, including the introduction of an annual limit on economic migrants, sweeping changes to the student visa system, and a shake-up of the family and settlement route. We are also committed to reintroducing exit checks by 2015. Counting people in and out of the country will give us better control over those that overstay. We are determined to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands, and clampdown on immigration abuses.”
Lower Mobile Rates To Benefit Consumers
Telephone customers may benefit from cheaper calls and greater choice thanks to a cut in mobile termination rates. These are the wholesale charges that mobile operators make to other operators to connect calls to their networks. From 1 April, Ofcom, the UK’s communications watchdog, will place a cap on the rates charged by all four national mobile network operators - 3UK, O2, Everything Everywhere and Vodafone. This will lead to around an 80 per cent reduction in termination rates over the next four years. Lower termination rates will hopefully benefit landline and mobile customers in two ways. Firstly, cheaper landline services will lower termination rates reducing the cost to landline companies of passing calls to mobiles. Ofcom expects these savings to be passed on to landline customers. Some operators have already promised to lower their charges.
More choice will also be available. Lower termination rates will increase competition in the mobile market, providing customers with more choice. Operators will have more pricing flexibility and will be able to increase the range of packages available to consumers. The new rates will apply from 1 April 2011 and end on 31 March 2015.
New Business-Friendly Competition Proposals Announced
A single competition authority to boost growth and streamline processes for business will be set up under proposals to improve the UK’s competition regime, Business Minister Edward Davey has announced. ‘A Competition Regime for Growth: a consultation on options for reform’ sets out proposals to create a single Competition and Markets Authority by merging the competition functions of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) with the Competition Commission (CC). The UK already has a globally regarded competition system but Ministers are determined to make sure that it supports growth while simplifying the existing system for business. The proposals to strengthen and streamline the competition regime will help boost existing arrangements. This includes reducing the duplication of costs for business, and increasing industry confidence in the system. The Government wants to stimulate growth by allowing the market to be dynamic and competitive. Ministers also want to empower small and medium businesses by giving them greater support in the system.
(BMcN)
The National Audit Office has published a report into the points based system for immigration. It finds that the system is well designed, but recommends that the UK Border Agency should improve its IT systems, and introduce exit checks which make it clear when someone has left the country. Damian Green said that he is committed to making improvements. He said: “This report is exactly why we are making radical reforms to the system, including the introduction of an annual limit on economic migrants, sweeping changes to the student visa system, and a shake-up of the family and settlement route. We are also committed to reintroducing exit checks by 2015. Counting people in and out of the country will give us better control over those that overstay. We are determined to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands, and clampdown on immigration abuses.”
Lower Mobile Rates To Benefit Consumers
Telephone customers may benefit from cheaper calls and greater choice thanks to a cut in mobile termination rates. These are the wholesale charges that mobile operators make to other operators to connect calls to their networks. From 1 April, Ofcom, the UK’s communications watchdog, will place a cap on the rates charged by all four national mobile network operators - 3UK, O2, Everything Everywhere and Vodafone. This will lead to around an 80 per cent reduction in termination rates over the next four years. Lower termination rates will hopefully benefit landline and mobile customers in two ways. Firstly, cheaper landline services will lower termination rates reducing the cost to landline companies of passing calls to mobiles. Ofcom expects these savings to be passed on to landline customers. Some operators have already promised to lower their charges.
More choice will also be available. Lower termination rates will increase competition in the mobile market, providing customers with more choice. Operators will have more pricing flexibility and will be able to increase the range of packages available to consumers. The new rates will apply from 1 April 2011 and end on 31 March 2015.
New Business-Friendly Competition Proposals Announced
A single competition authority to boost growth and streamline processes for business will be set up under proposals to improve the UK’s competition regime, Business Minister Edward Davey has announced. ‘A Competition Regime for Growth: a consultation on options for reform’ sets out proposals to create a single Competition and Markets Authority by merging the competition functions of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) with the Competition Commission (CC). The UK already has a globally regarded competition system but Ministers are determined to make sure that it supports growth while simplifying the existing system for business. The proposals to strengthen and streamline the competition regime will help boost existing arrangements. This includes reducing the duplication of costs for business, and increasing industry confidence in the system. The Government wants to stimulate growth by allowing the market to be dynamic and competitive. Ministers also want to empower small and medium businesses by giving them greater support in the system.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
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27 June 2003
Mobile charges to be cut following court ruling
Mobile phone calls under some tariff structures will be reduced by up to half following a High Court ruling against Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile. On Friday, the three UK phone giants finally lost their fight in a long-running court battle with regulators over the practice of levying of “termination charges”.
Mobile charges to be cut following court ruling
Mobile phone calls under some tariff structures will be reduced by up to half following a High Court ruling against Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile. On Friday, the three UK phone giants finally lost their fight in a long-running court battle with regulators over the practice of levying of “termination charges”.
18 September 2008
Competition Rules To Change For Banking Merger
Legislation is to be modified to make-way for one of the biggest banking mergers in recent times. The Chancellor has confirmed the Government will amend current competition laws to allow the merging of Lloyds TSB and HBOS. Alistair Darling said the move would go ahead in the interest of UK financial stability.
Competition Rules To Change For Banking Merger
Legislation is to be modified to make-way for one of the biggest banking mergers in recent times. The Chancellor has confirmed the Government will amend current competition laws to allow the merging of Lloyds TSB and HBOS. Alistair Darling said the move would go ahead in the interest of UK financial stability.
19 March 2009
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
CC Orders BAA To Sell Two Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has ordered BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted as well as either Edinburgh or Glasgow. In its final report on BAA's ownership of seven UK airports, the CC also stipulates that BAA must sell all three airports within two years.
19 August 2011
Sky Pay-TV Films 'Restrict Competition'
The Competition Commission has provisionally ruled that Sky's control over pay-TV movie rights in the UK is restricting competition.
Sky Pay-TV Films 'Restrict Competition'
The Competition Commission has provisionally ruled that Sky's control over pay-TV movie rights in the UK is restricting competition.
05 February 2009
Project Kangaroo Blocked Due To 'Competition Threat'
The on-demand video service Project Kangaroo has been blocked by the Competition Commission, because it posed "too much of a threat to competition".
Project Kangaroo Blocked Due To 'Competition Threat'
The on-demand video service Project Kangaroo has been blocked by the Competition Commission, because it posed "too much of a threat to competition".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly dry day, rather cloudy, but some sunny spells, best of these in the afternoon. A few showers spread south from late morning, turning wintry in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 5 °C.Tonight:A cold evening and night with a frost. It will be largely dry, but a few wintry showers towards the north coast overnight. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
