UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Minister announces immigration reform plans

Wednesday, 28 March 2007

Home Office minister Liam Byrne outlines new measures for immigration control.

Mr. Byrne, Minister of Immigration, will unveil more plans for an independent committee comprising business leaders, trade unionists and local authorities to advise the Government with regards to new immigration measures.

The new system will merge the existing 80 migration routes into five tiers, ranging from highly skilled to temporary workers and students.

The system will be based on age, earnings record, qualifications and work experience with preference to young, highly skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. It will result in favouring skilled migration rather than low- skilled workers from outside the EU, unless there are shortages in sectors identified by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).