UK PM unveils new crackdown on non-EU migration

PanARMENIAN.Net - David Cameron has announced new crackdowns on immigration from outside the European Union, the Independent reports.

Measures to raise minimum salary thresholds, limit the number of work permits and the introduction of new business levies for businesses employing migrant workers are proposals the government wants to introduce in its drive to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands.

The plans, announced by Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions, are also designed to protect domestic workers from being undercut by foreign workers and part of the government's efforts to boost the number of apprenticeships.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, will ask the Migration Advisory Committee to consider the government's proposals. They include plans to look again at how long particular sectors can declare they have a skills shortage, which allows firms in the sector to employ migrant workers.

Net migration reached a 10-year high of 318,000 despite Cameron's 2010 election pledge to cut numbers to below 100,000.

Unveiling the proposals during Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron said: “In the past it has been frankly too easy for some businesses to bring in workers from overseas rather than to take the long term decision to train our workforce here at home… We are going to look at a new skills levy on businesses who recruit foreign workers so we can boost the funding to UK apprenticeships.”