Sham marriages double in four years

OFFICIAL statistics from the Home Office suggest that the number of suspicious marriages has doubled in four years. In 2010, registrars recorded 934 marriages that they suspected were fake; in 2013, that figure had risen to 2135. Registrars are obliged to tell the Home Office if they suspect that a marriage has been set up for immigration purposes. The Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, John Vine, said that those involved in bogus marriages were often convicted only if they were part of a criminal gang.
 

Church in Wales proposes new training centre

THE Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales has backed plans to establish a new theological college for ordination training. The proposal came from the existing training colleges of St Michael's, in Cardiff, and St Seiriol's, in Bangor. The new training institute will be based at St Michael's, and from 2016 will run all ministerial training for the Church, as well as developing resources and new colleges elsewhere in Wales.
 

Religious leaders condemn genital mutilation

THE practice of female genital mutilation among girls and young women was condemned at a summit at the Home Office on Monday. Religious and community organisations, including the Muslim Women's Network UK, signed a joint declaration asserting that female genital mutilation is a form of violence against women, and was not supported by any faith. The declaration will be signed by UK representatives of the world's main religions at the Government's Girl Summit, to be held in London, next month, hosted by the Prime Minister.