A cap on immigration

The government's controversial move to impose a cap for non-EU migrants picks up pace today, as the migration advisory committee publishes its findings.

The committee will announce a figure for the number of 'necessary' skilled and highly-skilled workers the UK needs for the next year starting in April.

The coalition has so far been vague about the proposed cap, merely saying it intends to bring net immigration to the UK down from "hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands".

Home secretary Theresa May imposed a temporary cap in September, but the details of the permanent policy have so far been vague.

A cap on immigration has been roundly criticised from industry, the public accounts select committee and the business secretary Vince Cable, as being unworkable or economically damaging.

Any cap on immigration will not affect migrants from the EU.