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New immigration rules announced New immigration rules announced
(about 4 hours later)
Further details of the points system for people from outside the European Economic Area wanting to work in the UK are due to be revealed later. UK firms will have to prove they cannot find skilled workers from the European Economic Area before looking elsewhere for immigrants, ministers say.
The "highly skilled" workers category already lets most young graduates work in the UK if they have earned a salary equivalent in their country to £40,000. Outlining plans, the Home Office said bosses would not be able to fill posts before advertising first in the UK.
The Home Office is now setting out the rules for "skilled" workers - who will need required points and a job offer. The points-based guidelines for skilled workers also say most will need a job offer before coming to the country.
Employers will also have to show they sought to recruit in the UK first. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the new system would mean UK workers "get a fair crack of the whip".
Points for skilled workers will be awarded according to qualifications and salary prospects. Points for skilled workers, such as teachers, nurses and engineers, will be awarded according to qualifications and salary prospects.
Ministers say the rules would have cut skilled migrants last year from outside the EEA (the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) by 12%. Only the skilled migrants we actually need will be able to come Liam Byrne
Entertainers Only those who work in an area where there is a shortage of qualified people will be allowed into the UK without a job offer.
The Home Office says that in the 12 months to last September, 65,000 skilled workers from outside the EEA were allowed in, but that under the new rules there would have been almost 8,000 fewer. The government says the rules would have reduced skilled migrants last year from outside the EEA (the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) by 12%.
Details will also be revealed later about how many points entertainers and sportsmen and women will need to come to the UK on short-term contracts. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "Our new points system means that British job seekers get the first crack of the whip and that only the skilled migrants we actually need will be able to come."
The Home Office has said such workers attending one-off events, such as the Edinburgh International Festival, will not require points, but will need a visitors' visa. Overseas entertainers
The new immigration points system, which is based on education, previous salary and age, was announced two years ago. The Home Office says that in the 12 months to last September, 65,000 skilled workers from outside the EEA were allowed in, but under the new rules there would have been almost 8,000 fewer.
The Home Office says the aim of the system, being phased in this year, is to ensure that only those with the skills most in need gain entry to the UK. It also says workers such as sportsmen and entertainers, attending one-off events, such as the Edinburgh International Festival, will not require points, but will need a visitors' visa.
Staged introduction The new immigration points system, which is based on education, previous salary and age, was announced two years ago and is being phased in this year.
The more skills a worker has, and the more those skills are in demand, the more points they will gain, increasing the likelihood of entry.The more skills a worker has, and the more those skills are in demand, the more points they will gain, increasing the likelihood of entry.
The first stage of the new points-based system, which applies to highly-skilled workers came into force in February. The first stage, applying to highly skilled workers, came into force in February.
The second set of requirements, details of which will be announced today, focuses on skilled workers filling gaps in the labour market. It already lets most young graduates work in the UK if they have earned a salary equivalent in their country to £40,000.
An independent committee will advise ministers on which skills the economy needs.An independent committee will advise ministers on which skills the economy needs.
Other stages covering temporary workers, young people and students will be introduced later.Other stages covering temporary workers, young people and students will be introduced later.
The Home Office says that there is no need for any unskilled workers from outside the European Economic Area.The Home Office says that there is no need for any unskilled workers from outside the European Economic Area.