'Cap' on number of non-European migrant workers
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2.7.2010 The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has announced that the number of workers entering the UK from outside Europe will be controlled by a new limit, following Government consultation. In order to avoid a flood of applications prior to the limit coming into place, an interim limit will be introduced. This is also hoped to ensure that the number of work visas issued stays below 2009 levels. The announcement forms part of a wider Government policy to reduce annual immigration to the levels of the 1990s – from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands. The Government will conduct a 12-week consultation with businesses on how the limit can be introduced. The Migration Advisory Committee, the Government's independent adviser on migration issues, will also be asked to consider the level at which the limit should be set, in light of its potential social and economic impact. From 19 July 2010, interim measures will amend the points-based immigration system (introduced by the previous Labour Government) so that the number of highly skilled migrants is capped at current levels. Additionally, the number of points needed by non-EU workers who come to do highly skilled jobs will increase from 95 to 100. There will also be a limit on the number of sponsorship certificates that licensed employers can issue to workers wishing to come to fill skilled job vacancies. The Government predicts that this will reduce the number of people entering the UK in this way by 1,300. The Government's consultation will run until the middle of September and permanent limits on non-EU economic migration routes will then be decided and put in place by 1 April 2011.
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