Immigration target axed for ‘Australia’ points system

THE Tories’ failed ‘tens of thousands’ immigration target was ditched last night – as Boris Johnson pledged to bring in a new Australianstyle points-based system.

He plans a ‘radical rewriting’ of UK immigration rules to improve public confidence and restore ‘control of our borders’.

Mr Johnson also ordered a review of whether up to 500,000 illegal migrants who have been in Britain for ‘ many, many years’ could be allowed to stay, to avoid a repeat of the Windrush scandal.

The moves represented a marked departure from the policies pursued by Theresa May, and fulfilled pledges made by Mr Johnson during the Tory leadership campaign.

The target of bringing net migration below 100,000 was Tory policy for more than nine years, first under David Cameron and then Mrs May.

But last year net migration – the difference between the numbers arriving and leaving – stood at 275,000.

In his statement to the House of Commons setting out his blueprint for No10, Mr Johnson said his government would ‘ attract the brightest and the best talent from around the world’.

He has ordered the Migration Advisory Committee to review the immigration rules – the ‘first step in a radical rewriting of our immigration system’. Mr Johnson added: ‘I am convinced that we can produce a system that the British people can have confidence in.

‘ No one believes more strongly than I do in the benefits of migration to our country, but I am clear that our immigration system must change. For years, politicians have promised the public an Australian- style points-based system, and today I will actually deliver on those promises.’

Asked about the tens of thousands target, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said he wasn’t going to be ‘playing a numbers game’.

Australia’s points-based system is credited with keeping numbers under control while ensuring enough skilled workers are allowed in to fill labour shortages.

Applicants for work visas are assessed according to a series of criteria: how old they are, what skills they have, and relevant experience and qualifications.

One of the key categories is age, with all applicants having to be under 50. Another main category is the ability to read and write English. As Mayor of London, Mr Johnson backed an amnesty for migrants who had ‘put down roots’ and not committed any crimes. In an interview with the Mail during the campaign, he confirmed he still held that view.

Asked about the subject in the Commons yesterday, he said it was ‘anomalous’ that the Government was ‘theoretically committed to the expulsion of perhaps half-amillion people who do not have the correct papers, and who may have been living and working here for many, many years without being involved in any criminal activity at all’.

He added: ‘We saw the difficulties... in the Windrush fiasco. We know the difficulties that can be caused.’

He admitted he raised the idea when foreign secretary but joked it ‘did not receive an overwhelming endorsement’ from Mrs May.