An inventory or packing list is a document which is created during the loading stage of you International Removal. It is a detailed list of every item to be moved. The foreman will note down every item as it is loaded onto the container or into the removal van. This document is then signed by the foreman and the customer. This document is used many times throughout your International Removal, including during customs clearance and when unloading your effects at your new residence.

Below is an example of what a bedroom looks like before and after professional export packing by John Mason International has taken place.

Below is an example of a living room, before and after export packing.

New Zealand has been declared the world’s most peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2009. Denmark is at second place and Norway is third.

The research, undertaken by the Institute for Economics and Peace, ranks all 144 countries in the world. In this study, peace is defined as ‘the absence of violence’.  The study uses 23 criteria to calculate results including risk of terrorism, internal conflicts, human rights, foreign wars, military expenditure, violence and criminal statistics among others.

Families moving overseas received a boost this month as news of UK house prices rising for the fourth consecutive month is announced. Data from Nationwide shows that house prices rose by 1.6% in August.  It is good news for anyone looking to sell their home to move abroad.

This news means that the summer months have seen an overall increase in house prices.  The effect is said to be due to a combination of a shortage of second-hand homes and low interest rates.  UK Interest rates have been set as 0.5% by the Bank of England since March and have aided buyers by significantly improving housing affordability.  The Bank of England has suggested that interest rates will remain low for the foreseeable future.

Other studies have also indicated a recovery in the UK housing market although some economists are sceptical about the how long this mini-boom will last as interest rates will have to rise at some point.

A report by the UK Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) approves the Points Based System.  The Committee however, have also announced some suggestions for improvements to protect UK workers.

Professor David Metcalf, Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee,  stated:

‘We believe that selective immigration that favours skilled workers, as the PBS does, is vital to ensure that the UK continues to be a good place to do business or invest. However, it is important that British workers are not displaced. We have therefore made a number of recommendations which will help to avoid undercutting and any disincentives to raise the skills of UK workers’. 

The recommendations  include making sure that jobs are advertised in the UK for a longer period and to strengthen intra-company transfers.

A recent poll by YouGov has analysed Britain’s cities according to various factors such as entertainment facilities, safety, investment potential, cultural experiences and transportation. 

The most desirable place to live according to this poll appears to be London although it did receive a low score for ‘friendliness’.  York and Edinburgh are also high on the list.  Bradford received the lowest place, receiving low marks for issues such as atmosphere, safety and investment potential.

The study, which was undertaken in July 2009, may be useful for people considering moving to the UK as it is interesting to see how various cities are perceived nationwide.

A study by consumer magazine ‘Which?’ has revealed that some estate agents in the UK are adding a mark-up to Home Information Packs, in some cases up to £300 is being added to the price. This means that some estate agents have been adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of moving home.

The research demonstrates that if you shop around, you can potentially save a significant amount of money.  It is not necessary to buy a HIP from an estate agent. There are many independent suppliers available on the internet, which in some cases offer cheaper prices.

James Daley, Editor of Which? Money announced: ‘Our research shows that the most expensive high street agents charge over twice as much as the cheapest online Hip providers.

Homeowners in the UK are required to purchase a HIP before they can begin marketing their property. The pack contains information on a property’s energy ratings as well as other important information for buyers.

A review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) by the Australian Department of Immigration is currently taking place.  The outcomes are expected to be announced in late 2009.  The review may lead to the phasing out of the Critical Skills List (CSL), depending on the results of the review.

The MODL is a list of the occupations in Australia which are in short supply.  If your occupation is on the list, you should be able to apply for a visa under the General Skilled Program.

According to the Australian Immigration Department, the MODL is being reviewed in order to be prepared for the country’s future economic, demographic and social requirements.

The head of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Tim Entwisle, has announced that it would be more appropriate for Australia to have six seasons instead of four.  The scientist reasons that six seasons would be better suited to Australia’s climate. The two new seasons proposed are ‘sprummer’ which would occur between spring and summer and ‘sprinter’ which would be between winter and spring.

It is suggested that potential benefits of introducing new seasons would be improved monitoring of climate change and aid a better understanding of environmental issues.

Entwisle also put forward the idea of different regions having their own seasons which would match their particular regional climate.

In an attempt to prevent identity fraud, a new system is to be introduced which will allow the UK, Canada and Australia to share fingerprint data. The UK Home Office announced the new biometric data sharing agreement last week.

The new deal was agreed through the Five Country Conference (FCC), a forum which aims to improve immigration procedures within member countries. Countries in the FCC include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

The Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency, Jonathan Sedgwick stated, ‘We already have one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way. We are continuing to expand our watch-lists, work more closely with foreign governments to share information, and speed up the re-documentation of those being removed’. 

The UK Border Agency also announced that people’s personal information will still be protected under this new agreement.