New points system for immigrants
Immigrants wishing to work in the UK will be subject to a points system and will no longer have the automatic right to bring in members of their family under new Government proposals.
Setting out Labour’s stall on asylum and immigration, the Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the House of Commons that tougher measures would protect the interests of Britain and make both the asylum and immigration system tougher and fairer.
Labour’s five-year plan envisages a points system for those seeking entrance to work or study, an end to automatic immigration rights for members of the same family, and an end to appeals when applying from abroad to work or study.
Mr Clarke said that only skilled workers would be allowed to settle permanently in the UK, and anybody wishing to study would be subject to English language tests. Employers breaching immigration laws would be fined £2,000 per illegal employee.
On asylum, there would an increase in the use of detention, fast tracking of all ‘unfounded’ asylum applications, and an increase in removals. All visa applicants would be finger printed, and refugees would be granted temporary, rather than permanent leave to remain for the first five years.
Speaking to MPs, Mr Clarke said Britain would still welcome those fleeing persecution or making a useful contribution to the UK. But, the Government would be increasingly tough on those “trying to abuse our hospitality and place a burden on our society.
“We will introduce a simpler, clearer, more effective scheme for those wishing to come and work here, focusing on the highly skilled migrants that can help us build our economy.
“The public need to have confidence that our immigration system is properly run and enforced, with strict controls that work. People need to understand clearly who is allowed into the country and why, who is allowed to settle permanently and why – and that it is decided by what is in the interests of Britain.”
He added: “Swift removal is central to the credibility of our system. We will have a new drive to secure more effective returns arrangements with the countries from which most of our failed asylum seekers have come. We will achieve all this through effective international cooperation, not through isolation.”
