New points-based immigration system could cut low-skilled migrants by 90,000 a year post-Brexit

The Government’s new post-Brexit points-based immigration system could reduce the number of low-skilled migrant workers by up to 90,000 a year, it has emerged.



Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel are expected to use the first meeting of the new-look Cabinet on Friday morning to unveil the finalised policy to ministers.

Currently anybody from within the European Union can come to the UK to live or work without a visa under freedom of movement.

In the future, skilled workers will have to earn more than £25,600 to come to Britain, a reduction from the £30,000 threshold planned under Theresa May.

They will also earn points for learning English and having other skills which will help towards a visa, in a system modelled on Australia’s.

But according to the Daily Mail, the route for low-skilled migrants will be closed off, although short-term visas could be introduced for particular sectors if they experience staff shortages.

The paper says this will cut the number of low-skilled EU workers migrants by 90,000 per year, citing analysis by the Home Office.

This would be a 50% reduction in the numbers who currently come to the UK from the EU on a long-term basis.

The new set-up will be ready in time for the post-Brexit transition period ending on 31 December this year.