UK to cut immigration from outside Europe

LONDON, Nov 11: Britain on Tuesday published a list of industry sectors open to workers from outside Europe, which the government says will reduce by 200,000 the number of jobs open to migrants from outside Europe.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said the government had accepted the full list put forth by the Migration Advisory Committee, while adding social workers as well.

Overall, the number of jobs available to migrants from outside the European Economic Area — which includes the 27-nation EU as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — will be capped at 800,000, a reduction of 200,000 from the previous maximum.

UK’s new immigration arrangement is based on Australia’s points-based entry system, which awards potential migrants points based on their education and work background and qualifications.

Non-EEA workers entering Britain must conform to one of five categories: highly skilled, skilled in a profession that has shortages, students, temporary workers, or low skilled.—AFP