Theresa May has scuppered Leave campaigners' hopes of a points-based immigration system
(
PA
)
Downing Street has stamped out any remaining suggestion that Theresa May will consider an Australian-style points-based immigration system saying it is "not an option".
The idea was promised by key Leave campaigners, including Boris Johnson and other members of Mrs May's cabinet, as the answer to lowering the immigration.
But Mrs May has long been sceptical of the system and told reporters on the way to the G20 in Hangzhou this week that it is not certain a PBS would work, risking Cabinet divisions over the issue.
Officials have said that a PBS leaves a decision on who comes to the country down to regulation, while Mrs May is hunting for solution that allows the Government to determine the volume of people coming in.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "One of the opportunities of Brexit is that we will be able to control the number of people coming to Britain from the EU.
"The precise way in which the Government will control the movement of EU nationals to Britain after Brexit is yet to be determined. However, as the PM has said many times in the past, a PBS will not work and is not an option.
"When Labour introduced a PBS, the numbers went straight up. In Australia, they have a PBS, and they have higher immigration per capita than Britain. A PBS would give foreign nationals the right to come to Britain if they meet certain criteria.
"An immigration system that works for Britain would ensure that the right to decide who comes to the country resides with the Government."
Brexit protest: Thousands march in London
Show all 12
Brexit protest: Thousands march in London
1/12
A woman poses with a home-made European Union flag as Remain supporters gather on Park Lane in London to show their support for the EU in the wake of Brexit
PA
2/12
Remain supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square
PA
3/12
Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the result of the EU referendum
PA
4/12
A majority of people in the capital voted to remain in the European Union
Reuters
5/12
Protesters chanted: “What do we want to do? Stay in the EU”
PA
6/12
The march follows a similar rally in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain – but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway
Reuters
7/12
Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent
Reuters
8/12
But support for the Leave campaign in urban areas and among young people was significantly lower
Rex features
9/12
Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11am and marched towards Parliament Square
PA
10/12
Some protesters held up baguettes in a display of affection for our continental neighbours
PA
11/12
The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a four million signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed push for Scotland to cede from the UK
PA
12/12
The event’s organiser, King’s College graduate Kieran MacDermott, wrote: “We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button"
Reuters
1/12
A woman poses with a home-made European Union flag as Remain supporters gather on Park Lane in London to show their support for the EU in the wake of Brexit
PA
2/12
Remain supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square
PA
3/12
Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the result of the EU referendum
PA
4/12
A majority of people in the capital voted to remain in the European Union
Reuters
5/12
Protesters chanted: “What do we want to do? Stay in the EU”
PA
6/12
The march follows a similar rally in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain – but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway
Reuters
7/12
Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum by 52 per cent to 48 per cent
Reuters
8/12
But support for the Leave campaign in urban areas and among young people was significantly lower
Rex features
9/12
Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11am and marched towards Parliament Square
PA
10/12
Some protesters held up baguettes in a display of affection for our continental neighbours
PA
11/12
The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a four million signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed push for Scotland to cede from the UK
PA
12/12
The event’s organiser, King’s College graduate Kieran MacDermott, wrote: “We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button"
Reuters
Mr Johnson, now Mrs May’s Foreign Secretary, regularly expressed support for a PBS as he travelled the UK on the Brexit campaign bus. International Trade Secretary Mr Fox made the system one of the first policies of his Tory leadership bid.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom have all said such a system could help the UK better manage the inflow of people.
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
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Independent Minds Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Minds. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent minds. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Minds. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.