UK acts to keep out business travellers

Since 1997, the UK has become uncomfortably and increasingly like it was pictured in Orwell's 1984. And in a masterly piece of double speak, the government has described new rules announced today, claiming that they are "safeguard the visitor route into the UK from abuse and keep Britain an attractive place to do business."

What it means is that the UK will adopt some of the most business-traveller-hostile immigration policies in the world.

This is the Home Office statement:

Under strict new rules those wishing to come to the UK on business for up to six months must apply for a dedicated new business visa and prove they will be carrying out the following activities: * attending meetings or conferences; * arranging deals, negotiating or signing trade agreement or contracts; * undertaking fact-finding missions, checking details or goods; and * conducting site visits and promotional activities. In June new visa routes for business, tourist and family visitors were announced in a shake-up of Britain's short-term visa system. The Statement of Intent published today sets out in more detail how the new business visa will work. Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: "Now we are introducing an Australian-style points system for selective migration, it makes sense to tighten visit visas at the same time. "These changes will help create a fairer Britain with fair treatment for those who play by the rules, but tough action against those who break the law. "We want the UK to stay open and attractive to both business and visitors. At the same time we are determined to deliver a system of border security which is among the most secure in the world." Also today, the Home Office set out further detail on two new visitor routes for sportspeople and entertainers, recognising the important contribution these individuals make to British cultural life. These new routes mean that an historical concession which allowed sportspeople and entertainers to come here for a short time without a work permit to take part in certain events will be retained. Under these new routes the following people will now be able to enter the UK using a dedicated new visa: * sportspeople and support staff coming for specific events, such as Wimbledon; * amateur sportspeople joining UK amateur teams for up to six months; * professional entertainers coming to the UK to take part in music competitions; * amateur entertainers travelling to the UK for a specific engagement; * professional entertainers coming to take part in a charity show or where they will receive no fee; and * professional and amateur entertainers taking part in a 'permit-free festival' such as the Edinburgh Festival. All of the changes set out in the document published today will sit alongside the Points Based System, which replaces around eighty different work permit routes with just five tiers. Those travelling into the UK are locked into one identity through the introduction of fingerprinting for all visa applicants, a new hi-tech system for counting people in and out of the country and the rollout of ID cards for all foreign nationals.

It says just one thing to us: Stalag Britain - except the walls are to keep people out.

In a time of recession, with tourism and business confidence collapsing, what are they thinking?

Oh, yes. There's a history here: whenever the Labour government has been in trouble since 1997, they have used terrorism and organised crime as a diversion.

This week, they are pushing for what many consider to be an unconstitutional holding period for suspected terrorists - even the security forces don't want it. And today, within a few minutes of each other, the Treasury has issued a notice on money laundering and the Home Office has issued this - to be backed up with the suggestion that the purpose is to provide additional border security against suspected terrorists.