Radical reform of work permits proposed

Lord Rooker, the Immigration and Citizenship Minister, has announced the Home Office is exploring new categories of work permits to help support industries with severe recruitment difficulties.

Speaking at the Trade Union Council's conference on international migration, Lord Rooker outlined how the Government plans to create: "A new, fairer migration programme through increased legitimate economic migration."

Lord Rooker said: "We are committed to protecting opportunities for people in the resident labour market. We are also committed to an improved immigration system that benefits the United Kingdom by giving skilled people properly managed, legitimate avenues to come to Britain to work.

"I want your views on how we can create a system of economic migration that will give the UK the best possible economic boost. I know this is an issue which can worry the resident workforce. I want to reassure everyone that there will be no final decision until everyone has had a chance to put across their views.

"These proposals are a radical reform of our existing approach to migration. The benefits of this reform are many and varied but most importantly they will help create a stronger UK economy bringing increased prosperity for all of us and reduce the opportunity for the exploitation of workers."

A radical reform of the asylum and immigration system, including an expansion of the work permit system, was announced by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, on 29 October 2001.

This news follows Chancellor Gordon Brown's pre-budget report announcement of a 'Highly Skilled Migrant Entry Programme' to be introduced in January 2002, a new points-based immigration programme for foreign workers who want to work in the UK.

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Richard Powell, UKTECH