Reporting back - Points based immigration system.

This week the Government has set out how they will take back control of our borders and end free movement of people with a new points-based immigration system. I am pleased to see the Government are taking advantage of the opportunities Brexit provides by ending our reliance on cheap, unskilled workers from abroad and attracting people to this country with the skills we need. It is surely a moment to think about how we educate and train our own citizens too.

The Government’s new immigration system will take effect from 1^st January 2021 and will assign points for specific skills, qualifications, salaries or professions. Visas will only be awarded to those who gain enough points, thereby ensuring the UK attracts the brightest and the best.

An Immigration Bill will be put before Parliament in the coming months to get this ambitious new system onto the statute book.

Under this new system, EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally, with top priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents: scientists, engineers, academics and other highly skilled workers.

The Government has confirmed that it will not introduce a general low-skilled or temporary work route. Instead the priority will be to shift the focus of our economy away from a reliance on cheap labour from Europe and instead concentrate on investment in technology and automation.

With any new system, there will be some initial period of adjustment. The Government recognise that these proposals represent significant change for employers in the UK and will be delivering a comprehensive programme of communication and engagement in the coming months.

In addition to this, initiatives are also being brought forward for scientists, graduates, NHS workers and those in the agricultural sector, which will provide businesses with additional flexibility in the shorter term.

The Government has provided a policy document which goes into more detail about the specifics of this new immigration policy. You can find this policy statement by following the below link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-policy-statement

As the Member of Parliament for Norwich North, I welcome this new announcement. In particular I am keen to see more good jobs in Norwich, in line with my long-standing efforts to get young people into work. So I will continue my work in Parliament to support this ambitious new system which will ensure Britain will attract the brightest and the best, and I will always champion policies that help our citizens into work too.