[caption id="attachment_8282" align="alignright" width="450" caption="Petition against the Points-based Immigration System | 17 March 2010, English PEN joined the Manifesto Club to deliver a 10,000 strong petition to 10 Downing Street"][/caption]

English PEN issues a briefing on the situation of UK visas for writers and artists, to inform a parliamentary debate on the points-based visa system.

On Thursday 10th March 2011, the House of Lords debated the impact of the points-based visa system:

"To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the points-based visa system introduced in November 2008 as it affects non-European Union artists, performers, academics and others intending to work in the United Kingdom."

English PEN has grave concerns on the issue and issued a briefing which included evidence on difficulties for cultural professionals visiting the UK for arts projects, festivals and other events.

More information - download pdf. press release

English PEN is the founding centre of International PEN, a membership association with 144 branches in more than one hundred countries, providing an active and supportive community for writers and readers around the world.