 |
Cars | Computers | Internet | Electronics | Loans | Mortgages | Credit Cards | Hotels | Flights | Gadgets | Furniture | Health | Beauty |  |
Still looking for deals on Uk ? Find our amazing Uk offers at our top source site today where we have compared Uk for you. ask.com About Uk{{Infobox country| conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland| common_name = the United Kingdom| image_flag = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg| image_coat = UK Royal Coat of Arms.svg| symbol_type = Royal coat of arms| image_map = Location_UK_EU_Europe.png| map_caption = | national_motto = ([French language])"God and my right"| national_anthem = "[God Save the Queen]"] ([de facto])], [Ulster Scots language], [Scots language], [Scottish Gaelic], [Welsh language], [Cornish language]|demonym = British, [Briton| latd = 51| latm = 30| latNS = N| longd = 0| longm = 7| longEW = W| largest_city = [London| leader_name1 = [Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]| leader_title2 = [Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]| leader_name2 = [Gordon Brown| sovereignty_note =| established_event1 = [Acts of Union 1707]| established_date1 = [May 1], [1707| established_date2 = [January 1], [1801| established_date3 = [April 12], [1922, [1973| accessyear = [2007| GDP_PPP_rank = 6th| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $35,051| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 11th| GDP_nominal = $2.660.7 [1000000000000 (number)]| GDP_nominal_rank = 5th| GDP_nominal_year = 2007| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $38,624| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 13th| HDI_year = 2006| HDI = 0.940| HDI_rank = 18th| HDI_category = high| Gini = 36.8| Gini_year = 1999| Gini_category = medium| currency = [Pound sterling] (£)]| utc_offset = +0| time_zone_DST = [British Summer Time]| utc_offset_DST = +1| cctld = [.uks have been officially recognised as legitimate [Autochthonous language] [regional language]s under the [European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]. In each of these, the UK's official name is as follows:; ; ; ; . This is the royal motto. In Scotland, the royal motto is the [Latin] phrase ("No-one provokes me with impunity"). There is also a variant form of the coat-of-arms for use in Scotland; see [Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]. See [#Symbols] below. It also serves as the [Royal anthem]. [English language] is established by [De facto] usage. In [Wales], the [Welsh Language Board] is tasked with ensuring that, "in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice, the English and [Welsh language] languages should be treated on a basis of equality". The [Bòrd na Gàidhlig] is tasked with "securing the status of the [Scottish Gaelic language] language as an [official language] of [Scotland] commanding equal respect to the English language". Under the [European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages] the Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, [Cornish language], [Irish language], [Ulster Scots] and [Scots language] languages are officially recognised as [Regional language] or [Minority language] languages by the [United Kingdom Government].Scottish Executive "European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages" Updated 13/06/06 retrieved 23/08/07 See also [Languages in the United Kingdom]. CIA Factbook. Official estimate provided by the UK [Office for National Statistics]. [ISO 3166-1 alpha-2] is [Great Britain], but [.gb] is practically unused. The [.eu] domain is also shared with other [European Union] member states.--> The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known as the United Kingdom, the U.K., or Britain)See [British Isles (terminology)] for further explanation of the usage of the term "Britain" in geographical and political contexts. is a [country] Member States: United Kingdom, UK Presidency of the EU 2005. Accessed [May 29] [2006] Encyclopeadia Britannica "Island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe" accessed 25 Sep 2007 to the north-west of [Continental Europe]. It comprises the island of [Great Britain], the north-east part of the island of [Ireland] and many small local islands. [Northern Ireland] is the only part of the UK with a land border, sharing it with the [Republic of Ireland].{{Cite web]| accessyear = [2006| accessyear = [2006| accessyear = [2006, the [North Sea], the [English Channel] and the [Irish Sea]. The largest island, [Great Britain], is linked to [France] by the [Channel Tunnel]. The United Kingdom is a [parliamentary democracy] and a [constitutional monarchy] comprising four [Constituent country] — [England], [Northern Ireland], [Scotland] and [Wales] — with [Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom] as [head of state], who is also head of state of the [Commonwealth realms]. The [Crown dependency] of the [Channel Islands] and the [Isle of Man], formally possessions of [the Crown], are not part of the UK but form a [federacy] with it. UK gov explanation of names The UK has fourteen [British overseas territory], all remnants of the [British Empire], which at its height encompassed almost a quarter of the world's land surface. It is a developed country, with the fifth-largest [Economy of the United Kingdom] in the world. Britain was the world's foremost [Power in international relations] during the 19th and early 20th century, but the economic cost of two world wars and the decline of its empire in the latter half of the 20th century diminished its leading role in global affairs. The UK nevertheless retains major economic, cultural, military and political influence today and is a [List of states with nuclear weapons], with the [list of countries by military expenditure]. It holds a permanent seat on the [United Nations Security Council], is a modern [great power]see for example ; which speaks of the United Kingdom as a major country or "player" along with Germany, France, Japan, and Italy. and is a member of the [G8], [NATO], the [European Union] and the [Commonwealth of Nations]. History marked the end of the [Napoleonic Wars]. [Kingdom of England] and [Kingdom of Scotland] had existed as separate sovereign and independent states with their own [monarchs] and political structures since the 9th century. The once independent [Wales] fell under the control of English monarchs from the [Statute of Rhuddlan] in 1284. Under the [Acts of Union 1707], England (including Wales) and Scotland, which had been in [personal union] since the [Union of the Crowns] in 1603, agreed to a political union in the form of a unified [Kingdom of Great Britain].The [Act of Union 1800] united the Kingdom of Great Britain with the [Kingdom of Ireland], which had been gradually brought under English control between 1541 and [Treaty of Limerick], to form the [United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland] in 1801. Independence for the [Irish Free State] in 1922 followed the [Government of Ireland Act 1920] of the island of Ireland two years previously, with six of the nine [Counties of Ireland] of the [Provinces of Ireland] of [Ulster] remaining within the UK, which then [Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927] to the current name in 1927 of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Britain played an important part in the [Age of Enlightenment] with [philosophy] and [science] input and a [literary] and [theatrical] tradition. Over the next century the United Kingdom played an important role in developing [Western world] ideas of [Parliamentary system] with significant contributions to [literature], the [arts] and [science]. The UK-led [Industrial Revolution] transformed the country and fuelled the [British Empire]. During this time, like other [Great Powers], the UK was involved in colonial exploitation, including the [Atlantic slave trade], while the passing of the 1807 [Slave Trade Act 1807] also made the UK the first nation to prohibit trade in slaves. in 1897. The British Empire led to the spread of the [English language]. After the defeat of [Napoleon] in the [Napoleonic Wars], Britain became the principal naval power of the 19th century. At its peak the [British Empire] controlled large amounts of territory in Asia, Africa, Oceania and America. In the 19th century the country played an important role in the development of [parliamentary democracy], partly through the emergence of a multi-party system. At the end of the [Victorian era] the United Kingdom lost its industrial leadership, particularly to the [German Empire], which surpassed the UK in industrial production and trade in the 1890s, and to the [United States]. Britain remained an eminent power and its empire expanded to its maximum size by 1921, gaining the [League of Nations] mandate over former German and Ottoman colonies after World War I. After the [World War I], the world's first large-scale international broadcasting network, the [BBC], was created. In 1924 the country's [Labour Party (UK)], which had been gaining strength since the late 1890s, formed the [First Labour Government (UK)]. Britain fought [Nazi Germany] in [World War II], with its [Commonwealth of Nations] allies including [Canada], [Australia], [New Zealand], [South Africa] and [India], later to be joined by further [Allies of World War II] such as the United States. Wartime leader [Winston Churchill] and his peacetime successor [Clement Atlee] helped create the post-war world as part of the "Big Three". World War II left the United Kingdom financially damaged. [Loans] taken out during and after World War II from both Canada and the United States were economically costly but, along with post-war [Marshall Plan], the UK began the road to recovery. The immediate post-war years saw the establishment of the British [Welfare State] and one of the world's first and most comprehensive [National Health Service], while the demands of a recovering economy brought people from all over the [Commonwealth of Nations] to create a [multi-ethnic] Britain. Although the new post-war limits of Britain's [political] role were confirmed by the [Suez Crisis] of 1956, the international spread of the [English language] meant the continuing impact of its literature and [culture], while at the same time from the 1960s its [popular culture] found influence abroad. Following a period of economic stagnation and industrial strife in the 1970s after a global economic downturn, the 1980s saw the inflow of substantial [North Sea Oil], and the premiership of [Margaret Thatcher], under whom there was a marked break with the post-war political and economic consensus. Her supporters credit her with economic success, but her critics blame her for greater social division. From 1997 onward these trends of growth largely continued under the leadership of [Tony Blair]. The United Kingdom has been a member of the [European Union] since 1973. The attitude of the present [Labour Party (UK)] government towards further integration with this organisation is mixed, with the [Conservative Party (UK)] favouring a return of some powers and competencies to the state, and the [Liberal Democrats (UK)] supportive of current engagement. Government and politics . The United Kingdom is a [constitutional monarchy] with [Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom], [British monarchy], as head of state; the monarch of the UK also serves as head of state of [Commonwealth realm], putting the UK in a [personal union] with those other states. The UK uses a [Parliament] based on strong democratic traditions, a system that has been emulated around the world — a legacy of the [British Empire]. [Constitution of the United Kingdom] governs the legal framework of the country and consists mostly of written sources, including [statute]s, judge made [case law], and international treaties. As there is no technical difference between ordinary statutes and [law] considered to be "constitutional law," the [Parliament of the United Kingdom] can perform "constitutional reform" simply by passing [Acts of Parliament] and thus has the [political power] to change or abolish almost any written or unwritten element of the constitution. However, no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change. Official UK Parliament web page on parlimentary sovreignty The United Kingdom is one of the three countries in the world today that does not have a codified [constitution] (the other two being [New Zealand] and [Israel]). The position of [Prime Minister of the United Kingdom], the UK's [head of government], belongs to the [List of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom] of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a plurality in the [British House of Commons]. The Prime Minister and their Cabinet are formally appointed by the Monarch to form [Her Majesty's Government]. However, the Prime Minister chooses the Cabinet, and by convention, the Queen respects the Prime Minister's choices. The [Cabinet of the United Kingdom] is traditionally drawn from members of the Prime Minister's party in both legislative houses, and mostly from the House of Commons, to which [Responsible government]. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and Cabinet, all of whom are sworn into [Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council], and become [Minister of the Crown]. [Gordon Brown], leader of the [Labour Party (UK)], has been Prime Minister, [First Lord of the Treasury] and [Minister for the Civil Service] since [27 June], [2007]. The [Parliament of the United Kingdom] is the national legislature of the United Kingdom; housed in the [Palace of Westminster], it is the ultimate legislative authority in the UK, according to the doctrine of [parliamentary sovereignty]. However, questions over sovereignty have been brought forward due to the UK's membership within the [European Union]. The parliament is made up of the Queen and two houses: an elected House of Commons and an appointed [House of Lords]. Each member in the House of Commons is elected by [plurality electoral system] in a [United Kingdom constituencies]; general elections are called by the Monarch when the Prime Minister so advises. There is no minimum term for a Parliament, but a new election must be called within five years of the last general election. The UK's three [List of political parties in the United Kingdom#Major political parties in the United Kingdom] are the [Labour Party (UK)], the [Conservative Party (UK)], and the [Liberal Democrats]. Other parties such as the [Democratic Unionist Party], the [Scottish National Party], [Plaid Cymru], the [Social Democratic and Labour Party], the [Ulster Unionist Party], and [Sinn Féin] (from Northern Ireland) hold most of the remaining seats in the House. The four Sinn Féin MPs have never attended Parliament but, since 2002, they have made use of the offices and other facilities made available to them at Westminster. Administrative subdivisions The United Kingdom is divided into four [home nations] or [Constituent country]: [England], [Scotland], [Wales], and [Northern Ireland]. The latter three each has a [Unicameralism] legislature, [Devolution] from the United Kingdom Parliament, which relates specifically to each constituent country: the [Scottish Parliament], the [National Assembly for Wales], and the [Northern Ireland Assembly]. Each also has its own [Executive (government)], led by a [First Minister], which controls separate law making and constitutional powers devolved from Westminster. However, despite being the largest of the United Kingdom's four constituent countries, England, (with the exception of the [Greater London Authority]), has no devolved executive; it is ruled directly by the UK government. Each nation is further subdivided for the purposes of [Local government in the United Kingdom]. The Queen appoints a [Lord-Lieutenant] as her personal representative in lieutenancy areas across the UK; this is little more than a ceremonial role. The following table highlights the arrangements for local government, lieutenancy areas and cities across the home nations: . Many [towns] and [cities] reflect their "civic pride" with public buildings. {] || [Kingdom[Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England][Ceremonial counties of England]| [:Template:English Cities]|-| [Scotland] ]|style="padding-right:0.5em; text-align:right;"| 5,094,800|style="padding-left:0.5em; font-size:95%;"|[Subdivisions of Scotland][Lieutenancy areas of Scotland]| [:Template:Scottish Cities]|-| [Wales] ]|style="padding-right:0.5em; text-align:right;"| 2,958,600|style="padding-left:0.5em; font-size:95%;"|[Subdivisions of Wales][Preserved counties of Wales]| [:Template:Welsh Cities]|-| [Northern Ireland] ]|style="padding-right:0.5em; text-align:right;"| 1,724,400|style="padding-left:0.5em; font-size:95%;"|[Districts of Northern Ireland][Counties of Northern Ireland]| [:Template:Northern Ireland cities]|}Historically, the four nations were divided into [Traditional counties of the British Isles] as areas for local government administration. Although these are still used to some extent for this purpose and as geographical areas, they are no longer the sole basis for [wikt:local] government administration. In recent years, England has, for some purposes, been divided into nine intermediate-level [Regions of England]. Each region is made up of [metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England] and [unitary authorities], apart from [London], which consists of [London borough]s. Although at one point it was intended that these regions would be given their own elected regional assemblies, the plan's future is uncertain following a rejection, by referendum, of a proposed assembly in the [North East England] region. [City status in the United Kingdom] is governed by [Royal Charter]. There are sixty-six British cities: fifty in England; six in Scotland; five in Wales; and five in Northern Ireland. The [British crown] has sovereignty over the [Isle of Man] and the [Bailiwick]s of [Jersey] and [Guernsey]. Collectively, these three territories are known as the [Crown dependencies], lands owned by the [British monarch] but not part of the United Kingdom. They are also not part of the European Union. However, the Parliament of the United Kingdom has the authority to legislate for the dependencies, and the British government manages their foreign affairs and defence. The UK also has fourteen [British overseas territory] around the world, the last remaining territories of the [British Empire]. The overseas territories are also not considered part of the UK, but in most cases the local populations have British citizenship and the right to abode in the UK. This has been the case since 2002. Law is the national legislature of Scotland The United Kingdom has three distinct [systems of law]. [English law], which applies in [England and Wales], and [Courts of Northern Ireland], which applies in Northern Ireland, are based on [common law] principles. [Scots law], which applies in Scotland, is a hybrid system based on both common-law and [Civil law (legal system)] principles. The [Act of Union 1707] guarantees the continued existence of a separate law system for Scotland. The Appellate Committee of the [House of Lords] (usually just referred to, as "The House of Lords") is the highest court in the land for all criminal and civil cases in [England], [Wales], and [Northern Ireland], and for all civil cases in Scots law. Recent constitutional changes will see the powers of the House of Lords transfer to a new [Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]., Department for Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved on [2006-05-22] In [England and Wales], the [Courts of England and Wales] is headed by the Supreme Court of Judicature of England and Wales, consisting of the [Court of Appeal of England and Wales], the [High Court of Justice] (for civil cases) and the [Crown Court] (for criminal cases). In [Scotland] the chief courts are the [Court of Session], for civil cases, and the [High Court of Justiciary], for criminal cases, while the [sheriff court] is the Scottish equivalent of the county court. The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council], comprising the same members as the Appellate Committee of the [House of Lords], is the highest court of appeal for several independent Commonwealth countries, the UK overseas territories, and the British crown dependencies. Foreign relations The United Kingdom is a permanent member of the [United Nations Security Council], a member of the [G8] and [NATO], and a member state of the [European Union]. The UK has a "[Special Relationship]" with the [United States]. Apart from the US and [Europe], Britain's close allies include [Commonwealth of Nations] and other [Angloshpere]. Britain's global presence and influence is further amplified through its trading relations and its armed forces, which maintain approximately eighty military installations and other deployments around the globe. Geography The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is in Western Europe. It comprises the island of Great Britain (most of England, Scotland and Wales) and the north-eastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland), together with many smaller islands. The mainland areas lie between latitudes 49° and 59° N (the Shetland Islands reach to nearly 61° N), and longitudes 8° W to 2° E. The Royal Greenwich Observatory, near London, is the defining point of the [Prime Meridian]. The United Kingdom has a total area of approximately .The UK lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, and comes within of the north-west coast of France, from which it is separated by the [English Channel]. Northern Ireland shares a land boundary with the Republic of Ireland. The Channel Tunnel ("Chunnel") now links the UK with France beneath the English Channel. Topography in the [Grampian Mountains (Scotland)], is the highest point in the [British Isles] Most of England consists of lowland terrain, with some mountainous terrain in the north-west ([Cumbrian Mountains] of the Lake District), north (the upland moors of the [Pennines] and [limestone] hills of the [Peak District]) and south-west ([Exmoor] and [Dartmoor]) by the [Tees-Exe line]. Lower ranges include the [limestone] hills of the [Isle of Purbeck], [Cotswolds] and [Lincolnshire Wolds], and the [chalk] downs of the [Southern England Chalk Formation]. The main rivers and estuaries are the [Thames], [Severn] and the [Humber]. The largest urban area is [Greater London]. England's highest mountain is [Scafell Pike], which is in the [Lake District] . [Scotland's geography] is varied, with [Scottish Lowlands] in the south and east and [Scottish Highlands] in the north and west, including [Ben Nevis], the highest mountain in the British Isles at . There are many long and deep sea arms, [firth]s, and [loch]s. There are nearly eight hundred [List of islands of Scotland], mainly west and north of the mainland, notably the [Hebrides], [Orkney Islands] and [Shetland Islands]. In total, it is estimated that the UK includes around one thousand islands. Wales is mostly mountainous, the highest peak being [Snowdon] (Yr Wyddfa) at above sea level, however South Wales is less mountainous than North and Mid Wales. North of the mainland is the island of [Anglesey] (Ynys Môn). . Northern Ireland, making up the north-eastern part of Ireland, is mostly hilly. It includes [Lough Neagh], at , the largest body of water in the UK and [Ireland]. The highest peak is [Slieve Donard] at in the province's [Mourne Mountains]. The greatest distance between two points on the UK mainland of Great Britain is between [Land's End] in [Cornwall] (near [Penzance]) and [John O'Groats] in [Caithness] (near [Thurso]), a two day journey by car. When measured directly north-south it is a little over in length and is a fraction under at its widest. Climate All parts of the United Kingdom have a temperate [climate], with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons but seldom drops below −10 °[Celsius] or rises above 35 °C. The prevailing wind is from the south-west, bearing frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean. Eastern parts are most sheltered from this wind and are therefore the driest. Atlantic currents, warmed by the Gulf Stream, bring mild winters, especially in the west, where winters are also wet, especially over high ground. Summers are warmest in the south east of England, being closest to the European mainland, and coolest in the north. Snowfall can occur in winter and early spring, though it rarely settles to any great depth away from high ground. Absolute temperature ranges:
Cities and urban areas Capital cities London is the capital of the UK as a whole. The capitals of the United Kingdom's [constituent countries] are [London] (England), [Edinburgh] (Scotland), [Cardiff] (Wales) and [Belfast] (Northern Ireland). Largest cities/towns pays testament to its economic growth.
Urban areas
Larger Urban Zones A [European Union] measurement of urbanisation, the Larger Urban Zone represents a harmonised definition of the [metropolitan area]. [Eurostat]'s objective was to have an area from which a significant share of the resident commute into the city, a concept known as the “functional urban region”. To ensure a good data availability, Eurostat works with administrative boundaries that approximate the functional urban region. Seven UK areas figure in the top 50 in the EU.
Demography Population At the April [2001 UK Census], the United Kingdom's population was 58,789,194, the third largest in the [European Union] (behind [Germany] and [France]) and the twenty-first largest in the world. This had been estimated up to 59,834,300 by the [Office for National Statistics] in 2004. Two years later in August 2006 it was confirmed that the UK's population had reached 60 million, then rapidly increased to 60.2 million, largely from net [immigration], but also because of a rising [List of countries and territories by fertility rate] and increasing life expectancy. The UK's overall [population density] is one of the highest in the world. About a quarter of the population lives in England's prosperous south-east and is predominantly urban and suburban, with an estimated 7,517,700 in the capital of London. The population of the United Kingdom has now reached 60,587,000 (mid 2006 estimate). In 2006 the UK's [total fertility rate] (TFR) was 1.86 children per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1. In 2001, the TFR was at a record low of 1.63, but it has increased each year since, and will continue to do so as the share of births from immigrant mothers continues to prod the fertility rate. The TFR was considerably higher during the 1960s 'baby boom', peaking at 2.95 children per woman in 1964. Migration and ethnicity Located as they are on a group of islands close to [Continental Europe], the lands now constituting the United Kingdom have historically been subject to many [invasions] and [Human migration], especially from [Scandinavia] and the continent - including [Roman Britain] occupation for several centuries. Present day Britons are descended mainly from the varied ethnic stocks that settled there before the eleventh century. The [Cruithne (people)], [Celts], Roman, [Anglo-Saxons], and Norse influences were blended in Great Britain under the [Normans], Scandinavian [Viking]s who had lived in northern France (Normandy). Since 1945, international ties forged by the [British Empire] have contributed to substantial immigration, especially from Africa and South Asia, and, most recently, the accession of new EU members in 2004 has fuelled more immigration from continental [Europe]. As of [2001 British Census], 13.1% (5.2% white, 7.9% non-white) of the UK population identified themselves as an [ethnic minority]. in [London] is one of the most famous public places in the United Kingdom. {] !! [Population] !! % of total*] || || 85.7%|align="left"| White [Irish people] || || 1.2%|align="left"| [White Other (United Kingdom Census)] || || 5.3%|align="left"| [Mixed race] ]n || || 1.8%|align="left"| [Pakistan]i ] || || 0.5%|align="left"| Other [British Asian] (non-Chinese) || || 0.4%|align="left"| Black [Caribbean] ] || || 0.8%|align="left"| [Black people] (others) || || 0.2%|align="left"| [Chinese people] || || 0.4%|align="left"| Other || || 0.4%|-|colspan="3" align="left"| |} Cities with high proportions of people from [minority group] include [London] with 40.1% of its population coming from minority groups, [Leicester] with 39.5% and [Birmingham] with 34.4%, according to the 2001 census. In contrast with some other European countries, high [Foreign-born population of Great Britain, 2001] immigration is contributing to a rising population, accounting for about half of the population increase between 1991 and 2001. The latest official figures (2005) show net immigration to the UK of 185,000 (565,000 immigrants and 380,000 emigrants) down from a record high of 223,000 in 2004. Immigration from the [Indian subcontinent], mainly fuelled by family reunion, accounted for two-thirds of net immigration. 1,500 migrants enter UK a day By contrast, at least 5.5 million British-born people are living abroad. The most popular emigrant destinations were [Australia], [Spain] and [France]. Indians largest group among new immigrants to UK 1500 immigrants arrive in Britain daily, report says A study by a city forecaster, however, contends that the above immigration figures are unreliable and that net immigration for 2005 was [circa] 400,000. Nonetheless, the proportion of foreign-born people in the UK population remains slightly below that of some other European countries. In 2004 the number of people who became British citizens rose to a record 140,795 - a rise of 12% on the previous year. This number had risen dramatically since 2000. The overwhelming majority of new citizens come from [Africa] (32%) and [Asia] (40%), the largest three groups being people from [Pakistan], [India] and [Somalia]. BBC Thousands in UK citizenship queue In 2006, there were 149,035 applications for British citizenship, 32% fewer than in 2005. The number of people granted citizenship during 2006 was 154,095, 5% fewer than in 2005. The largest groups of people granted British citizenship were from India, Pakistan, Somalia and the Philippines.John Freelove Mensah, Persons Granted British Citizenship United Kingdom, 2006, Home Office Statistical Bulletin 08/07, 22 May 2007, accessed 21 September 2007 21.9% of babies born in the UK in 2005 were born to foreign-born mothers, according to official statistics released in 2007 that also show the highest [List of countries and territories by fertility rate] in Britain for 26 years. 1 in 5 babies in Britain born to immigrants Figures published in August 2007 indicate that 682,940 people applied to the [Worker Registration Scheme] (for nationals of the central and eastern European states that joined the EU in May 2004) between [1 May] [2004] and [31 June] [2007], of whom 656,395 were accepted.Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue & Customs and Communities and Local Government, Accession Monitoring Report: A8 Countries, May 2004-June 2007, [21 August] 2007, accessed [26 August] 2007. Self-employed workers and people who are not working (including students) are not required to register under the scheme so this figure represents a lower limit on immigration inflow. These figures do not indicate the number of immigrants who have since returned home, but 56 per cent of applicants in the 12 months ending 30 June 2007 reported planning to stay for a maximum of three months. Of the 2.5million foreign workers who moved to the UK to work, the majority were from EU countries, but net migration in 2005 from the new EU states stood at 64,000. Language has de facto official or official language status. Though the UK does not have a [De jure] official language, the predominant [spoken language] is [English language], a [West Germanic] language descended from [Old English], featuring a large number of borrowings from [Old Norse] and [Norman language]. The other indigenous languages are [Scots language] (which is closely related to English) and the [Insular Celtic languages]. The latter fall into two groups: the P-Celtic languages ([Welsh language] and [Cornish language]); and the Q-Celtic languages ([Irish language] and [Scottish Gaelic] and [Manx language]). Celtic dialectal influences from [Cumbric] persisted in Northern England for many centuries, most famously in a unique set of numbers used for counting sheep (see [Yan Tan Tethera]). The English language has spread to all corners of the world (largely due to the British Empire) and has thus become [International English]. Worldwide, it is [English language learning and teaching] more than any other. The United Kingdom's Celtic languages are also spoken by small groups around the globe, mainly [Scottish Gaelic in Canada] in [Nova Scotia], [Canada], and Welsh in [Patagonia], [Argentina]. Recently it has acquired many speakers of Eastern European languages, notably [Polish language]. Religion While the United Kingdom has a long tradition of [Christianity] and link between [church and state] still remains, in practice the UK has a predominantly [secular] society with only 38%. Page 11. European Commission. Retrieved on [7 December] [2006] proclaiming a belief in a [God]. People identify themselves with [religion] in the UK for both cultural and religious reasons and this is reflected by the disparity between the figures for those proclaiming a belief in [God] and those identifying themselves with a particular religion. Christianity has the largest number of adherents followed by Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. Christianity is used for the [coronation] of all [British Monarchs], who are also made the head of the [Church of England]. [Christianity] is the majority religion, there are many Christian [churches], [denominations], and [sects]. However, [Christianity] in the UK is on the decline. The [Tearfund] Survey in 2007 revealed 53% identifying themselves as Christian compared to 71.6% in the 2001 UK Census. Only 7% of people in the UK are actually practicing Christians. [Christianity] was first introduced to Britain by the [Roman Britain]. The direct influence of the [Anglican Communion] has been on the decline for many years but the [Church of England] retains a [Lords Spiritual] in [Parliament of the United Kingdom] and the right to draft legislative measures (usually related to religious administration), through the [General Synod], that can be passed into law, but not amended by Parliament. The churches ofInformation Reference: Wikipedia.org UkQuestions and AnswersCan you believe the Government of UK ?Q) Sorry UK Government got All of My deposit from my account in Halifax without any lawsuits , then I can not believe any banks in UK , But I found that I only can not believe any banks in UK . Sure I can believe other residents in UK . Because some residents in UK are my friends in Yahoo 360 and Yahoo Messanger . Sure even if I dislike those residents in UK by those banks against the Laws for me , I don't have to dislike other residents in UK by them . Other residents in UK are different from them . But I can not belive any banks in UK , then I can not make any business in UK , Because they will always get All of My deposits from my accounts in UK without Any Lawsuits in UK again . Do you think that my thought is the devil thought to you ? You can ask to UK government about my deposit from my account in UK with Allen .A) What have you been drinking,taking or smoking or perhaps its the start of dementia,or perhaps your dyslexic get someone to type the question in English and NO I don't trust any politician or some of the people who ask questions on here.expatriate 23 years from the UK how can I claim UK benefits, what , how much?Q) I am 54 years old . I am an expatriate from the UK for 23 years never living there or working there since 23 August 1984. I now live in Philippines and I am married with Pilipino wife who only has Philippines passport. I have 3 children all with British nationality and British passports. They also have Pilipino passports. I have a girl 6 years old, a girl 4 years old, a boy one month old. I have just been diagnosed with a disease that will cause me to have to give up work due to ill health when I’m probably 60 years old. My mother had to stop working with same disease when she was 60 and my father finally had attendance allowance. I remember my mother and father both worked never unemployed in UK for 30 years but the government still refused for many years to pay them their allowances. So I am going to try and find out what I should do before I accept any job in UK as LTD Company or as Permanent Staff. I have been paying my Class 2 self employed contributions to pay for my UK pension all the 23 years I have been abroad. These payments are fully paid up to UK Government. A COMPANY IN UNITED KINGDOM OFFERED ME 50,000 TO JOIN THEM AS ENGINEER IN LONDON WITH STAFF AND PENSION PAID. Or 35 pounds an hour contract to an ltd company. IS IT BETTER I JOIN THE PEOPLE STAFF OR AS CONTRACTOR. IF YOU ARE CONTRACT IN UK CAN YOU CLAIM FROM GOVERNMENT IF YOU ARE SICK OR NEED ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCES, CAN YOU CLAIM UNEMPLOYMENT BENFITS WHEN YOUR WERE WORKING PREVIOUSLY AS A LTD COMPANY. I HAVE AN UNDETECTABLE ILLNESS THAT WILL HIT ME 5 TO 7 YEARS TIME AND I'M THINKING OF WORKING IN UK AND GOING ONTO BENEFITS WHEN I GET SICK . I HAVE NEVER EVER BEEN UNEMPLOYED AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW I WOULD GO ABOUT FINDING OUT THESE THINGS IE HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT I COULD CLAIM IF I'M SICK IN UK. NOW IVE GOT 3 KIDS SCHOOLING WOULD BE FREE, MEDICAL FREE WOULD THEY PAY CHILDREN ALLOWANCES, RENTAL OR INTEREST ON MORTGAGE. OR CAN I JUST GO TO UK WHEN I'M SICK IN 7 YEARS TIME AND CLAIM BENEFITS. MY MATE WENT HOME TO UK WITH HIS WIFE AND DIDN'T GET ANY MONEY FOR 2 YEARS HE WAS THERE. WHERE CAN I FIND OUT SUCH INFORMATION? I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA. WHAT CAN I CLAIM AND HOW MUCH THE VALUE WOULD BE.A) Some of the other people answering this question don't appear to understand our National insurance system or the rights you have as a British Citizen. You have paid you National Insurance contributions and so are entitled to claim. If you buy car insurance and then keep up the payments but spend years abroad then come home and crash the car - you would claim. It is the same principle. However, being self-employed and having a Filipino family complicates things. In fact they are very complex. The first thing to do is go to the DWP website and email them for advice. That is the department of Works and Pensions. They were formerly known as the DHSS then the DSS and now a lot of their resposiblilities are being taken over by job centre plus. You will also almost certainly be affected by the Welfare reform Bill that is about to become law and will discriminate against chronically sick people. I'm involved with other disabled people and a group that represents the chronically sick and we intend to protest about the new law. I've given you a link to the DWP and to my web site. I have a Human Rights page you may like to look at and my email address is on every page of the site. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with people who will try to help. Your situation is complex and the help you get will depend upon your assets and a lot of other things. You also need to see if your wife and children will be alowed in to the UK. The government is restricting entry from Eastern Europe. But as many immigrants here from Asian countries have brought over their wives and children - as a British citizen - you should be allowed to bring your wife and children here. There are organisations you can join now that will help - here in the UK and a European one that fights against discrimination too. The other answers I have read to your question will perhaps give you some idea of the level of discrimination and how right wing some peoples views are. They are also extremely ignorant of the laws - National, European and International laws on Human Rights.Why UK discriminate against Britons abroad ?Q) A Uk citizen who was a taxes payer till he left UK .When his son born in UK wanted to apply to a British university he was told If you have not lived in the UK/EU/EEA for 3 years prior to the commencement of your course only then he will be elgible for local fees . He does NOT want Scholorship/Loan or any benefit . He just wants to pay local fees like any UK student and NOT International fees as he being asked to. In contrast Every Aslyum seeker ,terrorist can stay and get benefits while a UK citizen cannot and worse still he cannot be deported.FANATIC Omar Bakri Mohammed last night admitted he hates Britain — after learning he will escape deportation under tough new curbs on Muslim extremists. The Government’s own Human Rights Act means the cleric cannot be sent back to his Syrian homeland in case he faces torture or execution there.The Government's own report for 1999 -2000 shows cost of supporting asylum seekers was £597 million or 0.17% of total Government spendingA) If you are going to rant you are not going to get advice. If you or someone else was getting child allowances for your child, then that child will normally get home-student fees and loans. If the chlid was living somewhere in EU/EEA/Switzerland for the 3 years that may be assimiliated to being in the UK "for purposes other than study". You don't have to like the law; but it is your responsibility to know it. If you work for a British employer then they should make you whole. Certain exceptions are made for temporary presence outside of Britain. Were you "ordinarily resident" in the UK and did you pay taxes? That, and not nationality, is the key to home fees. (BTW, the status of true refugees is fixed by treaty. There are very few of those. Asylum seekers do not necessarily get rights -- not unless they are in due course recognized as such. Ranting about people who hate Britain and who may or may not be British or married to British or EU citizens is not helpful to your cause. And finally: are you paying National Insurance Contributions voluntarily (class 2 or 3)? If you are not, don't come back to Y! Q/A when you get to age 65 and start ranting about not getting a full state pension. You have the right to pay voluntary contributions, and if your employer is not paying them in the UK (even if they are paying them elsewhere) you should.) If you don't like the law, write to your MP. Tell him or her myths like that of Lord G (below) and he'll laugh at you. Because it either isn't true, or the student lied to the local authority. Parentage would have got the student a British passport, but then he'd be in the same position as your kid. I used to track down tall tales like this -- typically the whiner wouldn't be telling all the truth. The student either was present in the UK or EU or EEA for 3 years, or fell within one of the legal exceptions: British Forces, British Council, ordinarily resident taxpayer, etc. . . .Why does UK discriminate against UK citizens and be a EL dorado for terrorists ?Q) A Uk citizen who was a taxes payer till he left UK .When his son born in UK wanted to apply to a British university he was told If you have not lived in the UK/EU/EEA for 3 years prior to the commencement of your course only then he will be elgible for local fees . He does NOT want Scholorship/Loan or any benefit . He just wants to pay local fees like any UK student and NOT International fees as he being asked to. In contrast Every Aslyum seeker ,terrorist can stay and get benefits while a UK citizen cannot and worse still he cannot be deported.FANATIC Omar Bakri Mohammed last night admitted he hates Britain — after learning he will escape deportation under tough new curbs on Muslim extremists. The Government’s own Human Rights Act means the cleric cannot be sent back to his Syrian homeland in case he faces torture or execution there.The Government's own report for 1999 -2000 shows cost of supporting asylum seekers was £597 million or 0.17% of total Government spendingA) Yes, the more you look into it all the more unfair it is, the more stupid our policies towards immigration. We certainly seem to think British citizens are second class citizens in the UK. We have the EU to thank for their human rights interferrance and every politician who took us further into the EU, allowing politicians in Brussells to seal our fate. I'd certainly like to see all of these clerics and troublemakers sent back to their homeland and to their fate, dealt out by their own countrymen. As he hates the UK so much we would be doing him a favour returning him to Syria or wherever. I doubt he is in any danger from his countrymen, they will probably clap him on the back for causing trouble, he was probably sent here to cause trouble and corrupt young impressionable people. The word 'plant' comes to mind, Syria knows that by making him a wanted man that the stupid UK will keep him here. I would send him home and stick two fingers up to the EU's human rights policy. About time we had politicians with backbone.UK resident wanting to trade US stocks & options-Does any US broker offers accounts & US trade prices to BritsQ) I'm frustrated at the prices which UK stockbrokers charge for trades in UK and elsewhere. In the US online trades are around $7-10 whereas in UK they are £7.50 - £15. That's up to 4 times as much. If you trade often to take advantage of rapid price fluctuations, the charges will rob you of almost all your profit. Surely there's a way to trade from the UK at US prices? I have tried Charles Schwab, Etrade.com and Ameritrade, but none can accept a UK resident. With thanksA) so get a us address....lcome to usa get a post office box...and have your paper trades sent there? eventually you can have all trade confirmatins and statements sent toelectronically. but you will probably have to pay us taxes ...on capital gains"UK Citizenship by Birth" for Baby born in Spain to UK naturalised Father and Spanish mother?Q) I am a naturalised British citizen (born Indian). My wife is Spanish by birth. We have both been living and working in the UK for the last 10 years. Recently we had a baby boy and decided for the delivery in Spain so my wife could get support from her mother. The UK NHS authorised this and gave my wife a certificate E112 enabling her to deliver the child under the Spanish NHS free of charge. The baby was born on the 30th of November, 2006 in Spain. We understand that our baby boy automatically qualifies to a "British Citizen by Descent". However I realise (late!!) that "British citizenship by Birth" gives one many more rights e.g.: my baby’s children may not automatically qualify for British citizenship if they were born overseas! It appears a bit odd that just because we chose to him delivered in Spain rather than in the UK he and his descendents should loose so many rights! If he had been delivered in the UK then he would have been a citizen by birth. What do we do?A) I don't think this should be such a big problem. After all, if his children are born in UK, they also will be "British by birth", and if they are born overseas but their mother is British by birth then there would be no problem. Also, presumably your son can claim an equivalent Spanish citizenship (depends on the law there). It does seem odd that his status is different in this way. I don't know if there's an option for "naturalisation" later in life. Congratulations!UK food (why do people always say 'English food?') - What reasons do people have for thinking it's not good?Q) We do in fact have a huge array of native dishes which can be beautifully cooked and presented, using 100% natural ingredients. It seems to me more that people have a poor impression of UK food based on a few dishes. For example pastries/pies/pasties. They're available pretty much mostly as fast food, i.e. Greggs, so I see no difference there to other fast food (it's all junk). Another example: Full 'English' Breakfast - This is only served up for UK people in foreign countries because they think it's what we want. Truth is, after eating that for 2 or 3 days you're begging for something else. It's otherwise only served up in UK bed+breakfasts/small hotels because stupid foreign tourists think it's so quaint and they have to try it. The fact of the matter is, people in the UK rarely eat that anyway. The other reason seems to be based on the high number of plastic tv-dinners consumed in the UK now, something for which the US owned stores like Asda are to be blamed for.A) i wish it was labelled as British as it appears that only the English do any thing in the UK good or bad i am sure us Celt can do as well or worsemanaging a UK company from abroad?Q) I am thinking of establishing a UK company, that would provide consultancy services to international (and UK) clients. I already have a first client - an Australian one, who would be paying approx. $4750 per month. Once established, and while paying taxes in the UK, I would like to manage it from across Europe (seeking to expand the business with new clients): 2 months from Germany, another 2 months from France and last 2 months from Sweden. After 6 months, I'd like to return to the UK, and manage the company from here, permanently. During my stay abroad (in Germany, France and Sweden), and while I attempt to expand the business, will I be able to deduct my business expenses - office, traveling, communication costs - from my monthly tax payments? Please note: I don't have any intentions to deduct "twice". While abroad, I intend to deduct only expenses from the place I actually stay in, and won't deduct any UK-based expenses (UK office, communication etc.). Thank you.A) Hi, the salient point is where your tax domicile is - assuming that you are the owner/director of the business. That will determine what tax obligations you have - for the UK, you should contact the Revenue Service's helpline - funnily enough, they are actually quite helpful. You can also arrange confidential meetings with them to get up to speed on what different scenarios might to you. Although, since you are outside of the UK a fair me (like me), you might want to consider where is the best place for you to incorporate. A consideration would be to establish an offshore company (outside of Europe) and act as a self-employed European based agent. Ok, it's possibly a grey area depending on how you report, but it does give you the flexibility to deduct pretty much everything that is involved in you earning money. The UK limited company rules are a little more stringent. As you are dealing with international clients, they will be remitting in a non-local currency via tt anyway, so an offshore account won't be a technical problem. With regard expenses, as a company director you will pay the rate linked to your earnings. The company will repay you as much of those expenses as it wants to (your policy) BUT it will only be able to reclaim a percentage of those against tax payments. Depending on your annual turnover, you might find one of the fixed-price rates work better that dealing with all of the paperwork involved in reconciling your expenses for tax purposes. Just out of interest - what line of work are you in?UK/USA: Same word - different meanings!?Q) Some words/phrases used in the UK/USA have totally different meanings here's a couple......feel free to add more..... F a g - UK = cigarette....USA = Homosexual Fanny - UK = Vagina.....USA = bum/backside/bottom (i think) UK - Can I bum a f a g = can I borrow a cigarette - can you imagine asking an american that!!!!!A) Ha - I misread it the first time. I thought you said "b u r n". I couldn't stop laughing. Wanker in US is a deadbeat is a lazy person. Wanker in UK, well let's just say that the "fags" in the US would appreciate that word. Does gay still mean happy anywhere or is it homosexual like it is in the US?The UK government extradites UK nationals to the USA to face trial but there is no reciprocity - why?Q) A UK hacker is currently resisting extradition to the USA by the UK government even though his action took place in the UK. The US government does not extradite US nationals to other countries AND if a US serviceman commits a crime in the UK the arrangement is for him to be returned and tried in the USA. Why do we tolerate such a one sided arrangement and who agreed to it?A) The USA is a good elder brother of the UK...UK Muslim terror plot backlash fears?Q) Yep here in the UK the muslims have done it again and brought the UK into critical alert. As usual its the quote: 'minority' Minority? My a**! So why? apparently the young muslims, who are british born, are against the UK's foreign policy. And this is how these muslims criticise Blair's decision. What hapened to petitions? what happened to demonstrations? No instead these morons decide on trying to hurt those very people who welcomed their parents into the UK and who gave them jobs, houses, benefits, schooling etc and a better way of life! ...and now they want to return the favour by killing us. Nice People! If they felt so strongly against the UK, then why are they still here living the 'better life'? Now some of the older muslims fear a backlash. Will it come? Incidently this is the fourth such terror plot uncovered in the UK this year! So what do you think? Do you really think these terrorist would stop if Iraq & Lebanon didnt happen? (yeah right!) ...and will there be a 'backlash'?A) Jhn 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. The strategic objective of Islam is to destroy the foundations of the non Muslim civilizations, as a prelude to the defeat of an isolated Israel, India, United States of America, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Egypt, Afghanistan, etc. Muslims come to a non-Muslim country, (overstay student visas, other forms of illegal immigration, paper marriages, religious visas granted to the religious men and legal immigration,) and pass themself off as "peace loving" and patriotic. They do not assimilate. In private they recount the history of the nation in establishing the state of Israel and persecuting Muslims. Muslims are forbidden to kill "innocents" according to the Quranic definition of innocent. Qur'ān Surah Al-Mã´edah 5:32 ...If someone kills a human being, unless as a penalty for murder, or unless it is to prevent the spread of corruption in the world, it is as if he has killed the entire humanity. (Munir Munshey trans.) ...anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. ... (Khalifa trans.) ... whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind... (Sher Ali trans.) And also Qur'ān Sura Banî Israel 17:33 And do not kill anyone. Allah has prohibited it, except when it is rightful and befitting (and corresponds to the crime).(Munir Munshey trans.) And slay not the soul, the slaying of which Allah has forbidden, save for a just cause...(Sher Ali trans.)... Muslims choose to immigrate to a country whose people are not "innocent" according to Islam. In fact, it becomes the SACRED DUTY of the Muslim to kill the people of their host country. Islam is a totalitarian religion that demands world dominance and destruction of kafir (non-Muslim)countries. The Islamic doctrine of Al Taqiyah (dissimulation) hides this fact. That is why scholars say that Islam is a religion of peace and jihad just means to struggle. Muslims have a SACRED DUTY to purge fitnah from the world. Sayyid Qutb, an Islamic scholar, writes that the world would be a utopia under Islamic theocracy. Islam is a political as well as a religious system. Qur'ān Surah Al-Anfãl 8:39 So fight them (unbelievers) until there is no more fitnah (disbelief or worship of any god but Allah) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world) ... And fight with them until there is no more fitnah and religion should be ONLY for Allah Allah commands deeds of terror by the believers against the unbelievers as the means of creating the emotion of terror in their hearts. The only reason needed for action is that "they resisted Allah and His Messenger". Such an approach to "conflict management" is nothing to be ashamed about according to Islamic understanding, but it is a basis for pride. According to Islam, it is one reason for the superiority of Muhammad over all other prophets. It is EVERY Muslim's SACRED DUTY to fight in the jihad/qitl fee sybil Allah. (struggle/killing in the cause of Allah) Qur'ān Surah al-Hujurat 49:15 Mumim (true Muslims) believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and without doubt they strive in the cause of Allah (jihad fee Sybil Allah) with their WEALTH and their lives. Those! They are the sincere. Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward, (Yusuf Ali trans.) Muslims begin indoctrinating their children from toddlerhood to fight against the kuffar (unbelievers). It is chilling to hear the vicious screed of a child and the pride of a mother for her child's martyrdom. This can be seen in videos of Palestinian children. http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=165 http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38826 The verb qatala means to fight and kill. Qur'ān Sura Barã´ah 9:29 Fight against the people of the book, those of them who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, who do not forbid that which Allah and His messenger have forbidden, and who do not follow the religion of truth (Islam). (Fight against them) till they (agree to) pay ‘jazia’ (the submission tribute) and accept an inferior status (with humiliation and submission to the government of Islam.) (Munir Munshey trans.) قَتِلُوا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا بِالْيَوْمِ الْاءخِرِ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَلَا يَدِينُونَ دِينَ الْحَقِّ مِنْ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَبَ حَتَّى يُعْطُوا الْجِزْيَةَ عَنْ يَدٍ وَهُمْ صَغِرُونَ Qatiloo allatheena la yu/minoona biAllahi wala bialyawmi al-akhiri wala yuharrimoona ma harrama Allahu warasooluhu wala yadeenoona deena alhaqqi mina allatheena ootoo alkitaba hatta yuAAtoo aljizyata AAan yadin wahum saghiroonaUK visa question?Q) My husband came to uk in november for a 6 month job assignment from usa. His company did his work permit etc. I was told that my kids and I wouldn't need a visa as long as we visit UK for less than 6 months. We came here on Dec. 9th and will be going back in May 2007. Now the problem is when we arrived here in UK, we were asked to show dependent visa because of my husband's work permit status. I told them that we came to join my husband and I thought that US passport holders can visit UK for 6 months without any visa. But the immigration officer mentioned that since my husband is working in UK, therefore we should have arrived with a dependent visa. After some trouble he let us in, but said if we leave UK then we won't be able to come back unless we have proper dependent visa as long as my husband is here for work.. Anyhow now my question is we would like to visit europe, how can we get dependents visa while we are here in london so we don't get any difficulties at immigration.A) Check with the immigration support people in your husband's company. Those guys should help you out since they are the ones responsible for your current state in the first place.Can UK Govt be allowing UK to become another Islamic country?Q) Having watched, along with millions of other people the Ch4 Dispatches programme - http://www.channel4.com/news/dispatches/themes/society_theme_landing.html on 15/01/07, I cannot help but wonder why UK troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq (which, as I understood, was to maintain our own Nations' democracy, peace, etc) when, according to the above programme, UK people are allegedly "being groomed" to accept and change to the Islamic Faith or face the consequences - which is contrary to what the UK Govt are saying. IF this programme is correct in the facts, WHY has UK Govt not shut down, or deported these "missionaries" (sic) when our own UK children are not even allowed to wear the Christian cross around thier neck? A Dispatches reporter attends mosques run by organisations whose public faces are presented as moderate and finds preachers condemning integration into British society, condemning democracy and praising the Taliban for killing British soldiers. Re 'Big Brother' below - Don't not specualte on things you obviously don't have the facts to. By way of furthering your education and knowledge re the spin you chose to put in your answer to my question, please do take the time to check out this full OFFICIAL report on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales - a report, her sons, Princes William and Harry have accepted - http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/downloads/OperationPagetFullReport.pdfA) England is already lost,Muslim areas the cops don't go there,crime by all their Immigrants are out of control their government is afraid to say anything about the problem or they will be removed.have you ever see a small bunch of hells angels take over a bar or even a stadium ? they can because they are together and they use force. Or the Mafia political people are the same cowards. Look at the Republicans gutless wonders known them to take a stand?In this day of political correctness they are cowards .Look how Jesse Jackson did his shake down on wall street and many more ,where was the outrage? Who would dare to even report on it? (B.T.W. What news) No England is no longer England--All the wars that was lost or won do not matter anymore--there is no England anymore.And don't think we are far from their faith.We are going down too.If you only learn one thing about Islam know that you will not have a choice of to be one or not,your only choice is be one or die.And they really don't care which one you do choose.Can UK Govt be allowing UK to become another Islamic country?Q) Having watched, along with millions of other people the Ch4 Dispatches programme - http://www.channel4.com/news/dispatches/themes/society_theme_landing.html on 15/01/07, I cannot help but wonder why UK troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq (which, as I understood, was to maintain our own Nations' democracy, peace, etc) when, according to the above programme, UK people are allegedly "being groomed" to accept and change to the Islamic Faith or face the consequences - which is contrary to what the UK Govt are saying. IF this programme is correct in the facts, WHY has UK Govt not shut down, or deported these "missionaries" (sic) when our own UK children are not even allowed to wear the Christian cross around thier neck? A Dispatches reporter attends mosques run by organisations whose public faces are presented as moderate and finds preachers condemning integration into British society, condemning democracy and praising the Taliban for killing British soldiers.A) try to see things not only by our point of view, but also others. people in iraq & afghanistan are likely to act that way, especially when you have a country that being occupied by another countries troops..Former UK and Colonies citizens?Q) If a county was formerly a UK colony and its citizens held UK and Colonies citizenship, but the country gained independence, replacing the UK and Colony citizenship with that country's citizenship, does the UK government recognise the former citizens as former citizens of the UK and colonies or as have never been a UK citizen? this situation is after the British nationality laws of 1948, and before independence these citizens held UK and Colonies citizenship and UK and Colonies Passports and had the right of abode in the UK. Does the UK government recognise these citizens as former citizens of the Uk or as never have been a citizen of the UK and Colonies, only a citizen in their respective countryA) The majority of people in the colonies were subjects of the British crown and not actual British citizens. Those in native residence in the colony who were not nationals of another country, Britain included, became citizens of the newly created state upon independence, respective of the laws and statutes regarding citizenship of new said state. In other words, British citizens residing in the country would retain their British citizenship while British subjects of the old colony would become citizens of the new state.Can UK Govt be allowing UK to become another Islamic country?Q) Having watched, along with millions of other people the Ch4 Dispatches programme - http://www.channel4.com/news/dispatches/themes/society_theme_landing.html on 15/01/07, I cannot help but wonder why UK troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq (which, as I understood, was to maintain our own Nations' democracy, peace, etc) when, according to the above programme, UK people are allegedly "being groomed" to accept and change to the Islamic Faith or face the consequences - which is contrary to what the UK Govt are saying. IF this programme is correct in the facts, WHY has UK Govt not shut down, or deported these "missionaries" (sic) when our own UK children are not even allowed to wear the Christian cross around thier neck? A Dispatches reporter attends mosques run by organisations whose public faces are presented as moderate and finds preachers condemning integration into British society, condemning democracy and praising the Taliban for killing British soldiers.A) This Is Extremely True.Media spin on UK troops accomodation?Q) Granted, there are some UK Mod accomodation that does leave a lot to be desired today, BUT, why, for the sake of BALANCE could the media not show that NOT ALL UK troops accomodation are like they have portrayed over recent months? http://www.theroyalwelsh.org.uk/2bn/inde... Again, if I were a cynic, and had yet to listen and read the media spin - as in the links below, one could be forgiven for believing that at a cost of UK troops accomodation, they came a poor second to the cost of the £2.3BN refurbishment of Mod HQ in Whitehall..? as in the links below - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,... http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbea... http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbea... MAYBE, if the MoD had shown picture of the accomodation as shown in the Roayl Welsh site above, instead of the slick tv adverts costing £THOUSANDS, they would have MORE recruits joining up? Basic equipment v pie in the skyA) I know what you are saying but i think the media are trying to say is, look at the pure filth some of the people who put their lives on the line for us have to live in. At the end of the day it isnt right with or without the mediaIf I call a UK mobile while it's in the czech rep.,would I hear the same ringing sound as if it were in the UKQ) Basically, if I'm in the UK, and I call someone with a UK mobile while they are in the czech republic, would I hear the same sound when it rings (and before they pick up) as I would had I called them while they were at home in the UK? For example, I know that if I call a UK mobile while it is in France the ringing sound that I hear (as the caller, and before they pick up) is different from the one I would hear if I called the same UK mobile when it's in the UK...does the same happen with a UK mobile in the czech republic? I know this is really complicated and obscure, but it's something I am very worried about!A) Yes, it is for sure different... There is a different tone here (in CR) than in France and UK....UK business goes abroad?Q) We have a UK company that sells goods to end-users in shopping centres, accepting both cash & credit cards from our clients. We would like to expand our activities to other parts of Europe (Belgium, Germany), and be able to sell our products in these countries by accepting "Belgic" / "German" credit cards etc, in shopping centres across these countries. My question is, can we manage our non-UK activity & accept "German"/"Belgic" credit cards using our UK company infrastructure (credit card terminals, etc), or must we establish a new company/agency in each of these countries and "appoint it" as an agency of our UK company? In case we must open an agency in each country, how do we "declare" the profit in these countries, and where do we pay company (ies) income taxes? (we would like, of course, to declare most of the agencies' profit in the UK, and pay the "agent" only a small fee of the turnover). Thank you.A) > http://www.dti.gov.uk/europeandtrade/index.htmlMedia spin on UK troops accomodation?Q) Granted, there are some UK Mod accomodation that do leave a lot to be desired today, BUT, why, for the sake of BALANCE could the media not show that NOT ALL UK troops accomodation are like they have portrayed over recent months? http://www.theroyalwelsh.org.uk/2bn/index.php?id=51 Again, if I were a cynic, and had yet to listen and read the media spin - as in the links below, one could be forgiven for believing that at a cost of UK troops accomodation, came a poor second to the cost of the £2.3BN refurbishment of Mod HQ in Whitehall..? as in the links below - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2535312,00.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbeat/070104_barracks.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbeat/galleries/911/ MAYBE, if the MoD had shown picture of the accomodation as shown in the Roayl Welsh site above, instead of the slick tv adverts costing £THOUSANDS, they would have MORE recruits joining up? Basic equipment v pie in the skyA) So easy to answer "bad news pay ten fold"...LetsSome content elements on this page provided by Yahoo |