Points system for skilled foreign workers

The government has announced details of new rules that will apply to foreign workers recruited to fill skilled vacancies here in the UK.

The points-based regulations will cover workers from countries outside the EU and will take the place of the old work permit system.

Under the new proposals, skilled foreign nationals will have to earn a certain number of points before being allowed to work in Britain. Points are awarded only if a person can prove they will be doing skilled work, speak a good standard of English, and are earning more than £24,000, or have a decent qualification. Employers will need a licence from the UK Border Agency to offer jobs to skilled workers.

In addition, British-based companies will have to prove they cannot fill skilled posts with a resident worker and must show that the job vacancy has been advertised in the UK

Liam Byrne, the Immigration Minister, said: “Our new points system means that British jobseekers get the first crack of the whip and that only the skilled migrants we actually need will be able to come.

“By moving points up or down, we can make sure the numbers we allow in to the UK are in line with the needs of business and the country as a whole.”

The business community offered a mixed reaction to the new system.

Susan Anderson, the CBI’s Director of HR policy, said: “Migrants play an important role in helping UK firms fill skilled jobs where they would otherwise struggle to find staff. The work permit system must be flexible enough to respond to the changing needs of firms and the rules should help deliver this.”

Ms Anderson emphasised the importance of developing a skilled pool of British workers: “In the longer term, the UK’s competitiveness depends on its home-grown talent. Firms already play their part in this, investing £33 billion a year in training their staff, but ensuring our young people leave education with the skills and attitudes they need to succeed in work is also vital.”

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, argued that the UK should not run the risk of imposing arbitrary numbers on migrant workers and harming the international competitiveness of the economy.

Mr Frost said: “The fight for global talent means we must not shut our borders to those who can help our economy diversify and grow. Setting arbitrary quotas to try and fit British born workers into jobs is not the way to manage migration.”

He added: “As the vast bulk of migrant workers come into the UK from Europe anyway this points based system will only have a limited impact in achieving the Government’s objectives. What we need to ensure is that British workers have the skills they need, rather than creating a false environment that ignores the reality of a global economy.”

Date:7 May 2008