The UK Home Office announced late last week that it was suspending the UK Tier 1 Visa program with effect from Friday 7 December in the wake of concerns about possible abuse of the program.

An audit is being undertaken to establish proposed new guidelines and requirements which the government hopes will ensure that “only genuine investors, who intend to support UK businesses, can benefit from our immigration system.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May has just called off the crucial vote on her Brexit deal scheduled for Tuesday 11 December, accepting that it would likely be rejected by “a significant margin.”