Rules eased to let in skilled workers

Rules were loosened to allow more skilled foreigners to work in Britain and to help stem illegal immigration.

Rules were loosened to allow more skilled foreigners to work in Britain and to help stem illegal immigration.

Under an expansion of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, foreign students completing science, technology, engineering and maths degrees at British universities will be allowed to work in Britain for 12 months after graduation.

The Chancellor also said that he would make it easier for foreigners to work in industries with skills shortages, such as construction. Mr Brown said Britain would have to adopt "a modern approach to the economic and social benefits of legal immigration" if it was to find the skills needed by the economy.

He said: "UK work permits have risen from 47,000 in 1997 to 140,000 now and so the Home Secretary will expand the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and introduce measures for younger applications and partners." Helping skilled immigrants come to Britain legally would also "combat illegal immigration".

Employers and potential migrants would be given "access to information on migration routes", he said. From August, potential immigrants' partners would also be assessed in considering applications to work in Britain. The Treasury announced plans to reform the Working Holidaymakers Scheme to help qualified foreigners visiting Britain pursue job opportunities.

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the move. Simon Hughes, their home affairs spokesman, said: "Widening the avenues for economic migrants to come to the UK will not only benefit the country, it will help to take the pressure off the asylum system."