Get up-to-date with British news and culture with English UK!

Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

The UK Border Agency's online visa application system, Visa4UK, will be offline for maintenance from 0700 British Standard Time (BST) on Monday 5 July 2010 until 0700 BST the following day (Tuesday 6 July). You will not be able to apply online, or access your visa application, during this time.

If you require urgent travel to the UK, for example to attend a funeral or for urgent medical treatment, you should contact your nearest visa application centre.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Get up-to-date with British news and culture with English UK!

Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

Get up-to-date with British news and culture with English UK!

Every week, we summarise the news to give you some insight into what is happening in Britain, and what people are talking about.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced on 15th June that there would be an immediate halt to the further introduction of the Home Office’s Vetting and Barring Scheme. The Scheme will now undergo a significant and unspecified period of review termed as ‘remodeling,’ and is in line with statements previously made in both of the ruling parties election manifestos to scale the scheme back to ‘common sense levels’.