New British Immigration Laws To Go Into Effect

The United Kingdom is set to put into law the next phase of its new immigration laws based on a point system.  This comes in the wake of a controversial report which states that immigration has had little or no positive effect on the economy. The new points system is an effort by the British Government to encourage skilled migrant works while keeping out the unskilled.

Under the new system, immigrant workers are awarded points determined by education, prior salary, age, and how in demand their skills are.  The more skilled a person is and the more in demand their skills are; the more points they will be given. The higher the points the more likely hood the person will be granted a work visa.

The first phase is already in effect and it targets highly skilled workers. This phase allows recent grads entry if they have an earnings history in the 40,000 range.  Foreign entertainers and athletes will not be subjected to the points system, but they will need a valid visitor's visa.

Opponents of the new immigration laws are quick to point out its flaws.  The Tories want a set limit on the amount of immigrants allowed into the United Kingdom. And Migrationwatch U.K. states that the points system has no set limit and may actually cause an increase in immigration. The Home Office admits that the current points system would only lower the amount of skilled labor by about 8,000 per year.

Others applaud the new system for its effort at insuring jobs for Britain's' poor and unskilled.  Immigrant Minister Liam Byrne said in a statement that the new laws would ensure that British workers get a fair shot at jobs.