THE TELEGRAPH: Thousands of foreign workers will be turned away from Britain next month when the Government introduces an immigration cap for the first time.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is to announce a nine-month temporary limit to prevent a last-minute influx as workers from outside the EU try to beat permanent new controls due to come into force next April.
Just 24,100 workers from outside the EU will be allowed into the country before then and highly skilled migrants will have to meet more stringent conditions. But it will not be enough for the Conservatives to meet their election pledge to reduce net migration — which includes students and EU citizens — to beneath 100,000 this year.
David Willetts, a minister at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, both raised concerns in Cabinet discussions this week that a cap could hamper business. Mrs May was said to be “none too pleased” at leaks of the talks, which one senior minister blamed on “Lib Dem mischief-making”. She will strongly reject claims that the policy is being watered down when she begins a consultation on Monday.
Sir Andrew Green, the chairman of Migrationwatch, which campaigns for tighter immigration controls, said: “It is not surprising that those who have a financial interest in continuing high levels of immigration should oppose the measures necessary to get the totals down but the electorate has spoken. The Government made a commitment and it must be fulfilled in the coming years.” Continue reading and comment >>> Richard Ford, Francis Elliott | Friday, June 25, 2010
