UK NEWS

LATEST IMMIGRATION SCHEME WON'T AFFECT EASTERN EUROPE

Britain will only employ skilled migrants

Friday February 29,2008

By Nicola McCafferty for express.co.uk

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(14)

A NEW Government scheme to tackle the UK's major problem of immigration was launched today - but it won't even affect Eastern Europe.

Despite the ministers hailing the scheme - which filters migrants by skill - as the biggest immigration shake-up in nearly 50 years, it will only affect migrants from outside the EU.

And initially the new plans will only apply to skilled workers already in the country who want to extend their stay in Britain.

And there won't even be any capping of the number of migrants who come to the UK.

In a true sign that the Government think immigration is out of control, a new points system that will monitor migrant workers who are seeking employment in the UK has been launched today.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne

By only allowing talented immigrants into the UK workforce, Brown's administration believes they can 'fix' the problem.

But shadow immigration minister Damian Green today said the government was "over hyping" the change and a "sensible" policy would include a cap on the number of migrants who can come to the UK.

He said: "We've seen real strains in some areas on housing, on police, on hospitals and on school places and the new system makes no attempt to address that at all.

You still don't know whether you're getting the right number of people that the social services, the public services, can absorb

Damian Green

"You still don't know whether you're getting the right number of people that the social services, the public services, can absorb."

The scheme is similar to the immigration rules already in place in Australia and will become fully operational by the end of the summer.

It starts off with new rules for highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in the UK and those who want to extend their stay.

Under the new system businesses who want to recruit migrants will need a special license to bring them into the UK.

Companies in need of a licence will have to seek approval in advance from the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA).

Failure to comply with these rules will result in a big on-the-spot fine.

Also any businesses found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could be sent to prison.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “The introduction of our Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come.

“Today’s proposals are part of the biggest changes to British immigration policy in a generation which include a new deal for those migrants seeking citizenship here, a new UK Border Agency to strengthen controls at the border and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals.

"Migrants benefit this country economically, contributing an estimated £6bn to our national output, as well as socially and culturally and it is right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled."

Do YOU think the Government has finally realised how big a problem immigration is? Are today's new plans going to make a difference to the immigrant situation?

Have YOUR say NOW...

THEY JUST DON'T GET IT

01.03.08, 11:11am

Or perhaps they do. The majority of the indigenous population don't want ANY more immigrants coming in. We have had enough,we don't want or need them. If, as the pro immigration lobby predict, the wheels start to come off (they won't I'm sure) then we can open our borders again. There seems to be no shortage of people wanting to come to our country, the "supply" would not dry up!

• Posted by: redwhiteandblue • Report Comment

YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY SOON.

01.03.08, 6:40am

The Express should have told us this also, this will make you shudder, unless your muslim of course.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e905f018-d9f6-4eec-bd07-5054b07c863f
Politicians that want unfetterd immigration are signing their own death warrant.

• Posted by: beowulf • Report Comment

AUIAM

29.02.08, 6:23pm

Well...British government has no clue how many immigrants are already in this country. The reason is, that becoming a resident is so easy and requires just address, nothing else. This status has nothing to do with national insurance, or income (and its legality). Databases are not linked together at all. NHS really makes me laugh. Nobody checks that people who require healthcare pay taxes in Britain! You can't expect the same in other European countries. If British government is giving money of British taxpayers to everybody who comes around, no wonder that the systems are drained. One logical thing will follow and it will be backlash against immigrants.

• Posted by: Auiam • Report Comment

IMMIGRATION PROBLEM ??

29.02.08, 5:21pm

Surely not !!
Wonder if Mr Bean was at the meeting of ministers or was he too busy dealing with that other dreadful problem,you know the one,the dreaded plastic bag !!!

• Posted by: lioned • Report Comment

GOVERNMENT THINK IMMIGRATION IS OUT OF CONTROL

29.02.08, 4:31pm

have they really managed to cotton on to this...I doubt it and doubt even more Labour would do anything about it.
I urge people to go to a city like Leicester and walk through the centre...you will hardly hear the English language being spoken.
Wake up this will be coming to a town near you very soon !!

• Posted by: Konan • Report Comment