£1m buys foreign investors right to live in Britain

[dipsydoodle]

Rich Russians and Chinese are increasingly using "investor visas" that allow wealthy foreigners to effectively buy the right to live in the UK in return for buying at least £1m of gilts or shares and bonds in British companies.

Top London private bankers have expressed concerns at the number of people using the scheme to gain permanent resident status, arguing that the authorities should consider raising the amount of money needed to gain residency.

"The £1m threshold was put in place more than 20 years ago and is not the obstacle it once was. We have seen a huge increase in demand from Russians, Chinese and people from the Middle East wanting to move to London and it is clear that given the unlimited demand the time may have come to charge more for entry," said on senior London banker.

The most recent figures from the Home Office show that more than 400 people applied to use the investor visa scheme in the 12 months to the end of June. This compares with a total of 331 people in 2011 and fewer than 200 in 2009.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/9591810/1m-buys-foreign-investors-right-to-live-in-Britain.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. And what does buying shares in 'British' companies really do anyway?

The act of buying them produces a little work for the London Stock Exchange. Many companies there are multinational anyway, so, even if you think that being a shareholder encourages investment in the company by being a willing buyer from other stockholders, the development may well be abroad.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. So, essentially, it is a bribe to be accepted.

And sounds as if the price of bribes will be going up.