Ending unskilled immigration would be a real victory for the British public and the British economy. However, these proposals suggest that the government is not serious about taking control of immigration. Not only will millions of UK workers see their jobs opened up to new or greater competition from overseas workers from much poorer countries but employers will no longer have to look to find anyone at home before searching abroad.

The main safeguard of a suitable pay threshold will be significantly lowered, with an added loophole that so-called 'new entrants' - who might be workers with a decade of experience - could be paid little more than the UK minimum wage.

With no cap on numbers coming via the main route from the outset, this is a massive risk that will alarm the 30 million people who want the government to reduce immigration and show belief in young Brits, rather than giving in to the demands of bosses.