Damian Green: Poor Reputation

Economic Difficulties Dept: It is extremely unfortunate that, in a time of economic difficulties, when I as mayor and the government are working so hard to attract inward investment to London and the U.K., that our main port of entry is gaining such a poor reputation, he said, according to Globe and Mail. Damian Green, the Home Office minister, told MPs on Monday that it was important to maintain a balance between security and putting on a good first impression for visitors arriving at Heathrow and he said Heathrow, the country s largest airport, gave a terrible impression of the U.K. London s reputation as a welcoming place to do business and travel was at stake. The long queues are caused by a combination of tougher passport checks, after last autumn s row about the Border Force relaxing procedures too far, and staff cuts at the agency. The Home Office is reducing the force s manpower by about 18 per cent from 2010 to 2015. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.