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Points-based Immigration System
24 February 2020
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
ImmigrationMigrants & Borders
Other Contributors: 40
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about points-based immigration system in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The UK is implementing a new points-based immigration system that prioritises skills over nationality, ending free movement and discriminating between EU and non-EU citizens. This system aims to attract the brightest talent globally while reducing low-skilled immigration and boosting the economy by focusing on skilled workers and students. The policy statement outlines specific thresholds for various sectors like healthcare and education, ensuring public services do not suffer and that vital skills are rewarded.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The UK’s new immigration system will begin operating from January 2021. It prioritises skilled workers based on their job offer, language proficiency, and other criteria such as salary thresholds for various professions like healthcare and education. The system offers a fast-track decision process for NHS staff and a graduate route for international students after completing studies in the UK.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
The policy will damage social care and the NHS due to underpaid staff being excluded. The requirement to speak English is a red herring, potentially splitting families and undermining global Britain's recruitment of top talent. Workers should not be tied to specific employers as it could imply bonded employment.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The policy focuses on skills rather than aspects of family reunion, benefits, welfare or access to public funds. It aims to end reliance on low-skilled workers and ensure higher wages for all. Social care should be about properly paid staff with compassionate care.
Chingford and Woodford Green
The purpose of the policy is ultimately to bring down migration numbers that are unprecedented at over 1 million over three years, contributing to about 80% of all population growth.
This pretend points-based system will be a disaster for industries in Scotland due to the salary thresholds and lack of transitional measures. It will destroy families and reduce migration which is a disastrous policy goal for Scotland.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Asked about enforcement of the new scheme through or with employers for the first six months.
Eleanor Laing
16:26:00
Pointed out that the clock was ticking during the debate.
John Redwood
Con
Wokingham
Congratulated the Home Secretary on implementing the new scheme in 100 days and ending low-pay migration.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Asked about enforcement of the new visa scheme through employers for the first six months.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
Questioned whether the Home Secretary was going to reflect the democratic will of the British public in controlling immigration properly, and if she would do it in a way that worked for everyone’s national interest.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Asked about how the MAC would recognise emerging jobs in tech sectors with lower initial pay and ill-defined job titles.
Owen Paterson
16:26:00
Congratulated the Home Secretary on bringing forward a policy that gives flexibility to adapt needs to supply and demand, including new labour-saving technologies.
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
Argued against defining carers as low-skilled due to their pay and highlighted the need for better care sector conditions.
Bill Wiggin
16:26:00
Asked about prioritising speed in appeals processes for highly skilled workers, even if they appear to be doing low-skilled jobs.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Challenged the idea that there would be no immigration route for lower-skilled workers and questioned who would take on essential roles such as building homes, serving in hotels and restaurants, and caring.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Indicated dissent.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Defended the points-based immigration system, emphasising its focus on attracting high-skilled workers and fostering domestic skills development.
Asked about plans to cap the number of people who can qualify for a tier 1 exceptional-talent visa status.
Expressed concerns about the impact on construction sector's self-employed contractors due to skills shortages and lack of dedicated self-employment route.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Asked for confirmation that the new NHS visa will facilitate quick and easy entry for healthcare professionals from around the world.
Questioned the potential damage to research sector by pursuing immigration targets, referring to Albert Einstein as an example of exceptional talent.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Welcomed quadrupling of seasonal agricultural workers scheme and requested flexibility for future increases.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Criticised the system's negative impact on lab technicians and care workers, demanding a fairer system reflecting economic needs.
Welcomed introduction of skilled points-based immigration system and called for increased resources to tackle illegal immigration.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Asked about reported savings requirements on performers coming in, highlighting concerns from the music industry.
Supported points-based system for controlling immigration policy, emphasising its contribution to a high-wage economy.
Challenged the effectiveness of quadrupling seasonal agricultural workers scheme in addressing labour shortages across the UK.
Called for quicker answers from Home Secretary to allow more MPs to contribute.
Welcomed opportunities for Commonwealth English-speaking people to work in the NHS, advocating a fair system.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Asked Secretary of State to address anger and hurt caused by her comments regarding care workers and discussed funding for ending low pay in social care.
Questioned the Opposition's support for a discriminatory scheme against non-EU citizens, advocating for fairness.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Emphasised that the points-based system is open and fair, ending discrimination in immigration. The system will welcome individuals with the right skills and treat them equally.
Asked about the tier 5 rules currently stopping supply priests from Africa getting short-term visas during summer months.
Asked for confirmation on the protection of EU citizens' rights in the UK under the EU settlement scheme, noting that over 2.8 million people have been granted settled status.
Brought up cases of highly skilled migrants being put into debt and bankrupted due to paragraph 322(5) of the immigration rules, questioning if the Government truly values these skilled individuals.
Congratulated the Home Secretary on getting a grip on uncontrolled immigration and asked for assurance that flexibility will be retained in the system.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Asked if denying migrant workers the right to bring their family is inflexible and a breach of Human Rights Act 1998.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Discussed how universities welcome the new immigration system, allowing them to recruit from all corners of the world. Mentioned that this system will allow decent wages for recruited individuals.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Critiqued the Government's view on care workers as low skilled and denied them special status offered to others, questioning which aspects of care work are considered low skilled by the Secretary of State.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Replied that she is working with the Department of Health and Social Care on routes into and support for social care workers, also mentioning investment in social care.
Government Response
The system focuses on skills, not family reunion or benefits access. The purpose of the policy is to bring down migration numbers and deal with issues around criminality checks. Defended and clarified points about attracting high-skilled workers, NHS visa system, seasonal agricultural workers scheme, care sector funding, and addressing illegal immigration.
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Assessment & feedback
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