New tests part of drive to cut immigration
The Conservatives have unveiled tough new policies on immigration, with Theresa May pledging to drive down ‘low-skilled’ migration after Brexit.
Immigrants will face a new ‘British values’ test before being granted citizenship, and requirements to learn English will be tightened, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced.
The earnings threshold that new arrivals will have to meet to be classed as ‘skilled’ workers could rise from the current £30,000,
potentially barring immigrants from a host of professions.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, the Prime Minister confirmed that free movement would end, with EU citizens treated the same as those across the rest of the world.
Mrs May, who remains committed to the goal of cutting net annual immigration below 100,000, said: “Two years ago, the British public voted to leave the European Union and take back control of our borders.”
She added: “It will be a skillsbased system where it is workers’ skills that matter, not where they come from. It will be a system that looks across the globe and attracts the people with the skills we need.”
Workers wanting to stay for longer periods would need to earn a minimum amount to ensure they were not competing for low-skilled jobs that could be filled from within the UK.
Successful applicants would be able to bring immediate family into the UK on condition of sponsorship by their future employers.
“The existing ‘Life in the UK’ test for new citizens is not enough,” Mr Javid said in his speech to conference. “Maybe it is helpful for people to know the name of the sixth wife of Henry VIII but, far more important to me, is that they also understand the liberal, democratic values that bind our society together.”