29 February 2008
The Prime Minister launched the first stage of a new points-based system for migrants during a tour of the West Midlands based Fujitsu factory today.
Joined by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Gordon Brown met members of the specialist workforce, eight percent of whom are drawn from overseas.
New rules for highly skilled foreign workers are designed to attract the most talented workers to the UK ensuring the country remains a global leader in the fields of finance, business, and technological innovation.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Migrants benefit this country economically, contributing an estimated £6 billion to our national output, as well as socially and culturally.
"It is right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled.
"We’ve been speaking to some workers at Fujitsu today who have helped to grow the company and actually to keep jobs here in the UK," she added.
From today new rules will mean highly skilled foreign nationals who want to extend their stay in the UK will have to apply under new Australian style points system.
From April this year, applicants from India - expected to be the biggest client of ‘highly skilled’ tier one - will be required to apply under the new rules. Global rollout will be completed by the summer.
Tier two, which will be launched later this year, will focus on filling gaps in the labour market. Licensed employers will be required to sponsor workers they wish to recruit from overseas. Rollout of all five tiers - which consolidate 80 existing routes - is expected to be complete by 2009.
Meanwhile, tough penalties have been introduced for those who hire illegal workers. From today rogue employers will face civil penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker. Those found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison.
New legislation will also target rogue employers. The Employment Bill 2007-2008, currently being considered by Parliament, proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying the minimum wage and agencies that exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.
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