Unskilled workers to be barred from UK

Lower-skilled workers from outside the European Union will not be allowed to migrate to Britain from the start of next year, under new immigration rules.

With official figures today showing net migration to this country of 185,000 in 2005, the Government signalled a new drive to control the influx. Liam Byrne, the Immigration minister, set out the timetable for a new points-based system designed to limit numbers of newcomers.

His announcement came as he warned that uncontrolled immigration risked damaging poor communities and put pressure on schools and housing.

Immigrant groups fear the moves could trigger a new "bidding war" between the main political parties over who can sound toughest on migration.

The new Home Office system will place non-EU workers into five categories, ranging from highly skilled scientists and entreprenurs to the unskilled. The top tiers will be allowed in from January 2008 but there is no starting-date for admission of non-EU workers judged to be low-skilled.

Home Office sources said the department believed vacancies in agriculture and food processing could be filled by EU workers.

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