Lurps
03-08-2006, 07:34 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4244707.stm
Migration: How points would work
The government has detailed how it will change the entire UK immigration system to one based on points: the more in demand the skill, the more likely the individual will be able to come to the UK. BBC News explains how it will work.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM
Today's economic migrant system is complicated. There are 80 different routes into the UK to either work or study which have historically developed in a piece-meal fashion over decades.
Rather than tinkering at the edges, the government is now embarking on major reforms.
Depending on the type of worker you are, your entry into the UK is controlled by one type of permission or another, even though the government sees each in its own way as contributing to the economy.
So, at present, a banker must meet different entry criteria from a student who, in turn, will be governed by rules different from those, perhaps, affecting a Thai chef The right to settle - and later possibly seek British citizenship - is handled separately.
HOW THE SYSTEM WILL CHANGE
All the different work permits and entry schemes will be replaced by a single points-based system, the aim being to only allow entry to those whose skills will benefit the UK. The more skills you have, and the more those skills are in demand, the more points you will gain, increasing your likelihood of entry to the UK. European Union workers will not be affected - they and a few other European countries will still be able to come and go under the free market rules that allow British people to move to the continent.
Similar systems are already used in other industrialised countries and the basic principle is perhaps best summed up as "entry-through-skills". Supporters of a points system, such as Australia, believe it is much more transparent and responsive to the needs of the economy.
THE FIVE TIERS OF ENTRY
There will be five "tiers" within the points scheme within which people applying to work in the UK would be categorised.
Tier One: Highly skilled
The most skilled professionals will automatically have enough points to come to the UK without a job offer and seek work or set up a business.
This group would include doctors, scientists, and top-flight entrepreneurs. Workers in this category will have the most flexibility in the UK and greatest opportunities to settle for good because the system regards them as having the most potential for generating wealth - such as by setting up companies and creating jobs.
Tier two: Skilled with job offer
This covers people with qualifications or important work-related experience in a huge range of sectors from health service workers to white collar jobs and the trades.
People in this category will be given points on their talents and will be allowed into the UK if they have a job offer in a "shortage area". Two areas at present that would fall into this category are teaching and nursing.
Tier three: Low skilled
Until now, the government has allowed temporary migration to jobs in hospitality, food processing and agriculture from all over the world.
It is now ending these permissions in favour of workers from the expanded European Union, who do not need prior permission to arrive, although it adds that it may allow controlled quotas in certain sectors.
Workers in this category must find an employer as a sponsor. The employer will have some responsibility for ensuring someone remains within the terms of their visa.
Jobs in this tier include catering staff and construction workers hired for a one-off contract.
Tier four: Students
This covers students paying for tuition in the UK and reflects the importance that universities and colleges attach to income from overseas. Many universities have developed formal links with counterparts abroad as a means of attracting overseas students who pay for their courses. In previous years student visas have proved controversial amid allegations that it was a route open to abuse.
Tier five: Temporary workers, Youth mobility
This will include professional sports people or professional musicians, who want to "work" in the UK for an event such as the Olympics or a football match, or a concert. The youth mobility aspect is intended to cover cultural exchanges or working holidays by young people.
WHO GETS IN?
The Home Office will have the final say but it says it will establish an independent advisory board which will aim to give accurate information on where the gaps exist and to recommend changes to the system.
So, for instance, if in one year there is a shortage of plumbers in the UK, the board may recommend awarding more entry points to foreign plumbers. A few months later it may suggest cutting the points available as the gap is plugged.
There will be two key sanctions against overstaying. Firstly, workers in some sectors ****e to abuse will be expected to hand over a financial bond, repayable when they leave at the end of their visa. Secondly, employers themselves will be fined £2,000 for each illegal worker.
The government says that the new system will effectively end the migration of low-skilled workers from outside the EU into the UK. This is however a complicated issue and the system allows the government to open up routes should shortages emerge.
Some organisations which lobbied the government during the consultation for the system argue that a block on low-skilled workers from outside the EU will lead to exploitation and exacerbate illegal migration. For instance, two sectors which rely on cheap non-EU labour are cleaning companies - particularly in London - and the Indian and Chinese catering.
Sounds like a good system for other countries also.
Migration: How points would work
The government has detailed how it will change the entire UK immigration system to one based on points: the more in demand the skill, the more likely the individual will be able to come to the UK. BBC News explains how it will work.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM
Today's economic migrant system is complicated. There are 80 different routes into the UK to either work or study which have historically developed in a piece-meal fashion over decades.
Rather than tinkering at the edges, the government is now embarking on major reforms.
Depending on the type of worker you are, your entry into the UK is controlled by one type of permission or another, even though the government sees each in its own way as contributing to the economy.
So, at present, a banker must meet different entry criteria from a student who, in turn, will be governed by rules different from those, perhaps, affecting a Thai chef The right to settle - and later possibly seek British citizenship - is handled separately.
HOW THE SYSTEM WILL CHANGE
All the different work permits and entry schemes will be replaced by a single points-based system, the aim being to only allow entry to those whose skills will benefit the UK. The more skills you have, and the more those skills are in demand, the more points you will gain, increasing your likelihood of entry to the UK. European Union workers will not be affected - they and a few other European countries will still be able to come and go under the free market rules that allow British people to move to the continent.
Similar systems are already used in other industrialised countries and the basic principle is perhaps best summed up as "entry-through-skills". Supporters of a points system, such as Australia, believe it is much more transparent and responsive to the needs of the economy.
THE FIVE TIERS OF ENTRY
There will be five "tiers" within the points scheme within which people applying to work in the UK would be categorised.
Tier One: Highly skilled
The most skilled professionals will automatically have enough points to come to the UK without a job offer and seek work or set up a business.
This group would include doctors, scientists, and top-flight entrepreneurs. Workers in this category will have the most flexibility in the UK and greatest opportunities to settle for good because the system regards them as having the most potential for generating wealth - such as by setting up companies and creating jobs.
Tier two: Skilled with job offer
This covers people with qualifications or important work-related experience in a huge range of sectors from health service workers to white collar jobs and the trades.
People in this category will be given points on their talents and will be allowed into the UK if they have a job offer in a "shortage area". Two areas at present that would fall into this category are teaching and nursing.
Tier three: Low skilled
Until now, the government has allowed temporary migration to jobs in hospitality, food processing and agriculture from all over the world.
It is now ending these permissions in favour of workers from the expanded European Union, who do not need prior permission to arrive, although it adds that it may allow controlled quotas in certain sectors.
Workers in this category must find an employer as a sponsor. The employer will have some responsibility for ensuring someone remains within the terms of their visa.
Jobs in this tier include catering staff and construction workers hired for a one-off contract.
Tier four: Students
This covers students paying for tuition in the UK and reflects the importance that universities and colleges attach to income from overseas. Many universities have developed formal links with counterparts abroad as a means of attracting overseas students who pay for their courses. In previous years student visas have proved controversial amid allegations that it was a route open to abuse.
Tier five: Temporary workers, Youth mobility
This will include professional sports people or professional musicians, who want to "work" in the UK for an event such as the Olympics or a football match, or a concert. The youth mobility aspect is intended to cover cultural exchanges or working holidays by young people.
WHO GETS IN?
The Home Office will have the final say but it says it will establish an independent advisory board which will aim to give accurate information on where the gaps exist and to recommend changes to the system.
So, for instance, if in one year there is a shortage of plumbers in the UK, the board may recommend awarding more entry points to foreign plumbers. A few months later it may suggest cutting the points available as the gap is plugged.
There will be two key sanctions against overstaying. Firstly, workers in some sectors ****e to abuse will be expected to hand over a financial bond, repayable when they leave at the end of their visa. Secondly, employers themselves will be fined £2,000 for each illegal worker.
The government says that the new system will effectively end the migration of low-skilled workers from outside the EU into the UK. This is however a complicated issue and the system allows the government to open up routes should shortages emerge.
Some organisations which lobbied the government during the consultation for the system argue that a block on low-skilled workers from outside the EU will lead to exploitation and exacerbate illegal migration. For instance, two sectors which rely on cheap non-EU labour are cleaning companies - particularly in London - and the Indian and Chinese catering.
Sounds like a good system for other countries also.