UK places temporary cap on immigration
London, July 19: The UK coalition government’s interim cap on immigration from outside the EU has come into effect from Monday. The interim limit will be in force till April 2011, when the Tory-LibDem government will impose a long-term limit. The UK Border Agency is holding a 12-week consultation with businesses to decide on the final figure for the annual immigration cap.
The interim limit on economic migrants from outside the EU allows home secretary Ms Theresa May to limit the overall number of certificates of sponsorship that may be assigned to points-based system sponsors during any particular period under Tiers I and II. The interim limit will also affect the number of certificates of sponsorship that may be assigned to individual sponsors, the UKBA said on Monday.
“All sponsors affected by the introduction of the interim limit will receive a letter detailing their allocation and how it has been calculated,” the UKBA added.
The interim limit includes capping the number of Tier I migrants at current levels and raising the number of points needed by non-EU workers who enter the UK for highly-skilled jobs from 95 to 100. The interim limit will ensure that work visas issued this year will stay five per cent below the 2009 levels, leading to only 24,100 workers from outside Europe entering the UK before April next year, of these 5,400 will be allowed under Tier I and 18,700 under Tier II.
The imposition of the interim cap on immigrants has lead to fears about shortage of skilled workers in the UK. India has already raised the issue with the UK when Union
commerce minister Mr Anand Sharma met PM Mr David Cameron
last month.
The British Chambers of Commerce has warned that if the restrictions are too strict, they have the potential to damage the economy. “It is absolutely essential to get the balance right,” British Chambers of Commerce director-general David Frost said.
Comments
This is a very good things
Geetika
20 Jul 2010 - 15:05
This is a very good things that government is imposing as there are so many people coming in Britian and the British people are out of work. I recently came to know about my friend who is applying for her 58 year old mother for Tier 1 as she qualifies the points because of good salary and can get a visa. But wonder how a 58 old would be useful for British economy. Also, I have seen people staying in Briton for long term on visitors visa as they go back to India after 6 months for a week and then come back. There should be restrictions to stay on Tourist visa as well as many Indian parents come here and stay here long term and work illigally.
The idea is not too bad since
Shola
20 Jul 2010 - 05:20
The idea is not too bad since every country of the world have the sole right to do what ever pleases them which can bee seen clearly now. Haven’t said this, a lot of factor are not being consider simply because government what to satisfy public complaints and feedback about immigrants. People will be demoralised psychologically including their family back home. For me government would have done it in a more reasonable way like given people say 6 to 12 month to get them prepare to go hom.
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