Sunday, April 2, 2023
 
 

UK to institute points system for foreign workers

- Advertisement -

The United Kingdom’s home secretary Priti Patel has unveiled a new points-based immigration system that the government said would end Britains reliance on “cheap, low-skilled labour”.
Under the so-called “Australian-style” system, applicants will receive points based on skills, qualifications, salaries, English-speaking ability, and profession. More than 70% of the EU’s current workforce is expected to fail to meet the majority of the new criteria.
The system will implement recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee to lower the salary threshold to £25,600 from the existing £30,000 minimum limit. The plan also has a scheme which will grant visas to “highly-skilled” researchers to come to the UK without a job offer.
“We’re ending free movement, taking back control of our borders, and delivering on the people’s priorities by introducing a new UK points-based immigration system which will bring overall migration numbers down,” Patel said, who added, “We will attract the brightest and the best from around the globe, boost the economy and help our communities to unleash this country’s full potential”.
Under the plan, the definition of skilled workers would be expanded to include those educated to A-level-equivalent standards, not just graduate level, as is currently the case.
Waiting tables and certain types of farmworker will be removed from the new skilled category, but new additions would include carpentry and plastering. Overseas citizens would have to reach 70 points to be able to work in the UK. Speaking proficient English and having the offer of a skilled job with an approved sponsor would automatically give them 50 points.
More points would be awarded for qualifications, the salary on offer and working in a sector with shortages. Students will also be covered by the points-based system, the government said, while there will be separate initiatives for scientists, graduates, National Health Service workers, and those in the agricultural sector.
Concern over the impact of high levels of immigration from the European Union was one of the key drivers behind Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the bloc and the government has said it plans to bring overall migration numbers down.
When the new system comes into force on January 1, 2021, it will treat EU and non-EU citizens the same.
“For the first time in decades, the UK will have full control over who comes to this country and how our immigration system operates,” the government said in a policy document setting out its plans.

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Silicon Valley Bank financial contagion contained – for now

The world’s top policymakers and international financial leaders acted effectively in the days following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. They appear to have dealt positively with the risk of wider global financial contagion.

EU plan to centralize gas purchases near impossible to implement

The global gas supply market will be much tighter this year than it was in 2022. The need for the EU to buy more gas, especially more liquified natural gas, from elsewhere will be greater.

Don't miss

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Silicon Valley Bank financial contagion contained – for now

The world’s top policymakers and international financial leaders acted effectively in the days following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. They appear to have dealt positively with the risk of wider global financial contagion.

EU plan to centralize gas purchases near impossible to implement

The global gas supply market will be much tighter this year than it was in 2022. The need for the EU to buy more gas, especially more liquified natural gas, from elsewhere will be greater.

Africa’s porous borders promote transnational crimes rather than deeper integration

For positive continental regimes to succeed, there must be both conscious and concerted efforts, as well as political will, from all states to help eliminate transnational crimes while fostering integration across the whole of Africa through trade.

When it comes to defense, the politicians must listen to those who know best – the generals

The halls of power are walked by people who know little, care even less and yet have the right to supersede and ignore the advice of those who know better.

Silicon Valley Bank financial contagion contained – for now

The world’s top policymakers and international financial leaders acted effectively in the days following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. They appear to have dealt positively with the risk of wider global financial contagion.

France’s policies in Africa diminish its influence; inevitably opening the door to Russia & China

In a recent story titled "How Russia and China are trying to drive France out of Africa", what was not lost on the reader...

The Iranian regime is becoming ruthlessly paranoid about ethnic Azeri demands for civil rights guarantees

Complete disregard for the well-being of Iran’s Azeri minority has sparked a wave of intense anger within the community.

Cambodia’s current government is the face of tropical Fascism

There is no hope that the authoritarianism that the world sees in places like Russia, China and Cambodia can ever be interpreted as a peaceful and benign phenomenon, or that it should be accepted by an implicit racist or discriminatory assumption that some cultures just don’t have a democratic tradition and aren’t quite capable of ever developing one.

Georgia has shown the world that a Kremlin project can be defeated

In early March, the world’s attention was on Georgia. We saw massive protests fueled by anger, concerns and fear, and eventually, we witnessed a...

Putin’s New START withdrawal has broad implications

Vladimir Putin continues to persuade Russians that the West provoked his imperialist war of aggression against Ukraine. His announcement that he would no longer...

Sanctions, sanctions everywhere

On February 24, 2023, the US Government alongside G-7 leaders announced via a White House statement a new set of trade and economic measures...