More than 3.5 million customers need to submit their tax return and pay any tax due for the 2017 to 2018 tax year before the deadline of 31 January 2019.

Grounding of a general cargo vessel in the approaches to the River Neath, Wales.

Our report into the grounding of the Bahamas registered cargo vessel Celtica Hav on a stone training wall in the approaches to the River Neath in March last year, is now published.

The report contains details of what happened, the subsequent actions taken and recommendations made: read more.

Published 24 January 2019

EU citizens to receive settled status guidance from charities and NFP organisations who apply to become dedicated / specialist OISC immigration advisers.

On 1 February 2019 the OISC will be opening a new registration scheme aimed at organisations that want to advise EU citizens on their applications for settlement in the UK. The registration will be at OISC Level 1 Immigration EUSS (limited to the EU Settlement Scheme). Application forms and guidance on how to complete them will be available from the OISC website with effect from 1 February 2019.

The application process will be streamlined and is aimed at not for profit and charitable organisations. The limited area of work and the streamlined application process means that we expect to make decisions on applications around 4-6 weeks after receipt of the application. Successful organisations will be granted authorisation for two years at Level One Immigration limited to the EU Settlement Scheme.

To demonstrate “fitness and competence”, organisations will need to show that they have satisfied the relevant competency standards and evidenced that they are fit to provide immigration advice, but will not be required to undertake the OISC Level 1 written examination.

To help organisations provide advice and services to EU citizens about the settlement scheme, the Home Office is providing £9M funding, details of which are on the Home Office website. The Home Office is also looking to commission a training course, which organisations bidding for funding can access, which will assist them in demonstrating to the OISC that they have the right level of knowledge and so support their applications for the new OISC registration scheme.

All current OISC registered organisations, that are authorised in the category of Immigration, are already registered to provide immigration advice about the EU Settlement Scheme.

Notes to the Editor

1.The OISC (www.oisc.gov.uk) is an independent public body, established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to regulate the provision of immigration advice and services in the UK.

2.For further information contact Cornelius Alexander, Corporate Communications Officer at the OISC on 0207 211 1617.