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The number of jobs workers from outside the EU can fill was slashed yesterday by 200,000, officially allowing what ministers hailed as the “tightest ever” migration list. From November 27th, 800,000 jobs in England and Scotland will be open to non-EU workers - down from the estimated 1million vacancies under the work permit system. When the draft list of occupations, which do not have to be advertised in the UK, was unveiled two months ago, ministers said it would cut the number of posts by 300,000. But the Home Office undercut the Migration Advisory Committee’s figure by adding social workers to the list, which includes civil engineers and engineering technicians. Had the updated immigration system been in place last year, there would have been 12% fewer people coming to work in Britain, said immigration minister Phil Woolas. His department said the shortage occupation list, “tighter than ever before”, for non-EU workers forms the basis of tier 2 of the new five tier, Australian-style points-based system. Under tier two, companies must pass the resident labour market test – by advertising the job for up to four weeks domestically – before filling it with a non-EU resident. Applicants for tier 2 must have English language skills; enough money to support themselves for one month on arrival and prospective earnings of more than £24,000. Alongside traditional roles known to be short on skills, such as consultant nurses, chemical engineers and construction managers, the list also includes ballet dancers, albeit trained to Royal Ballet standards. Mr Woolas said: “These are skilled occupations where the government considers there are shortages so that it is sensible for vacancies to be filled by migrant workers from outside the European Economic Area.” The Home Office last week helped businesses to prepare for the changes by publishing detailed guidance on Tiers 2 and 5, skilled workers and temporary workers respectively, of the system. The tougher points system is one part of the biggest shake up to immigration and border security in 45 years, along with the fingerprinting of anyone travelling to the UK on a visa and compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals. Nov 13, 2008 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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