Tougher rules for migrant workers

Some employers have welcomed the change in rules

New rules for skilled foreign workers have come into force as part of the move to a points-based system.

Workers applying to enter the UK on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) will now be scored on a range of issues including qualifications and age.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the changes reinforced the government's "firm but fair" immigration policy.

The move comes as an employers' taskforce to help develop the points-based scheme was unveiled.

Mr Byrne said: "Businesses and colleges benefit from having foreign nationals work or study with them so they have a special responsibility to help us get the rules right."

Announced last March, the scheme aims to make entering the UK easier for skilled workers but harder for low-skilled non-EU workers.

IMMIGRATION TIERS Highly skilled migrants, including doctors, engineers, finance experts Skilled with job offers - best example would be teachers or nurses, or other jobs matching NVQ level 3/A level if they have a job offer in a "shortage area" Low-skilled workers Students and special sectors such as sports people and employees of international companies based in the UK Visiting workers, such as musicians, working holiday visa holders How the points would work The system in Australia

Under the government's plans for a single points system, highly-skilled workers such as doctors, engineers and IT experts would score highest and would be the only group able to come to Britain without a job offer.

The Confederation of British Industry has welcomed the changes, saying bosses "want to see a streamlined and transparent points-based" system.

Tough new sponsorship rules for foreign workers would also be introduced under the new system which are not expected to be implemented until mid-2007 at the earliest.

Mr Byrne said part of the newly-formed taskforce's brief would be to discuss how that would work.

"Members will be asked to discuss a range of issues including fines for employers, seizing assets of persistent offenders, disbarring company officers who knowingly employ illegal workers and their sponsorship responsibilities," he said.