Economist, Mar 1, 2014

choi

Immigration | No Country for Poor Men; If the government wants to sell visas, it should make more money from them.
www.economist.com/news/britain/2 ... hem-no-country-poor

three consecutive paragraphs:

“according to a report released on February 25th by the Migration Advisory Committee, an independent group, Britain could do it better—and more lucratively.
“At present migrants who invest substantial sums in gilts or in British registered companies can apply for permanent residence. A million pounds ($1.7m) gets them leave to remain after five years; £5m reduces the waiting time to three years and £10m to two. They need not speak English and can bring their families. Between 2009 and 2013 Britain flogged 1,628 such visas, about half to Chinese and Russians. The market is heating up: 560 went last year.
“This system is deeply flawed. The minimum investment level has not gone up since 1994. Because the value of an investment must remain above £1m until residency is granted, most applicants pile into low-risk gilts, for which buyers are already plentiful. Investors are likely to sell those gilts when they obtain settlement.

My comment:
(a) There is no need to read the rest.
(b) No Country for Old Men (film)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Country_for_Old_Men_(film)
(2007; based on a 2005 novel of the same name)
(c) gilt
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilt
(may refer to "gilt-edged securities, government bonds")

choi

Corporate alumni | Gone But Not Forgotten; More firms are seeking to stay in touch with former staff.
www.economist.com/news/business/ ... -gone-not-forgotten