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A blow to immigrants

LONDON: In a blow to hundreds of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent who come to Britain every year to take low or unskilled jobs, Britain on Wednesday announced that immigration from outside the European Union would be restricted only to highly-skilled immigrants.

Announcing the plan which will come into force in 100 days’ time, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne described highly-skilled immigrants as “key contributors” to British economy. They include people working in financial and public services, IT sector and education and business. Unskilled non-E.U. immigrants would be banned from taking jobs in the “foreseeable future” under the proposed Australian-style points system seen as the biggest shake-up of the immigration regime. Nearly 12,000 unskilled persons from Asia, Africa and America came to the U.K. last year.

Only those non-E.U. citizens with qualifications and skills will be permitted to come in. The government says the idea is to simplify rules which are too complicated and vulnerable to “abuse” by illegal immigrants. English tests will be introduced for all immigrants, including those in the highly-skilled category, to strengthen “British values.” Spouses who apply for entry into Britain will also be required sit English language assessments. Successful highly skilled applicants will permitted to bring dependents who will also be eligible to work in Britain.

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