Clarke announces points test for migrants
The Home Secretary Charles Clarke today announced that anyone applying to work in the UK will in the future first have to pass a test before being granted admission.
There would be a points system similar to that of Australia but the Government would avoid the quota scheme as proposed by the Conservatives, he told BBC One’s Breakfast with Frost.
A points system would be based on age, education, language skills and work.
Mr Clarke said anyone failing to pass the test requirement would be removed from the country.
The Home Secretary was keen to stress how “skilled” economic migrants do provide a crucial element in strengthening the economy.
“We want to ensure that the people who do come into the country are the people that bring us those benefits,” he added.
By 2008, Mr Clarke said, all immigrants entering the UK would have their fingerprints taken.
“That is one of the key issues of our proposals which I will announce tomorrow is to ensure that we are able to properly identify absolutely everybody who comes into the country.
“This will allow the Government to ensure that it can know everybody who is in the country.”
Mr Clarke added: “On the second, we have got to have a proper process for removing those who fail in their asylum seeking.”
The Home Secretary also confirmed the Government was committed to shoring up border controls.
But the Conservative Party Co-chairman, Dr Liam Fox, said Labour was “rattled” on the issue.
The budget for immigration control has spiralled out of control under Labour, who after eight years, were incapable of tackling the issue, he said.
Dr Fox defended his party’s plans for quotas, saying the number would be set annually by Parliament.
Mr Clarke will announce in full the Government’s policies on asylum and immigration on Monday.
