March 01, 2008	Saturday	Safar 22, 1429

LONDON, Feb 29: The biggest shake-up of the British immigration system in 45 years got under way on Friday with the introduction of a new points system to curb low-skilled and illegal immigrants into the UK.

Britain’s Australian-style points system kicked-off with new rules for highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in the UK and who want to extend their stay. The scheme is designed to attract the most talented with the skills the UK needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business, and technological innovation.

Until now there have been 80 different routes people could use to apply to come to Britain to work or study. Instead there will be a points-based system, with applicants divided into five categories.

The government has also introduced on Friday a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK. No company will be granted a sponsor’s licence without being approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA). Employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.

Alongside the government’s plans to ensure Britain has access to the skills and talents it needs, rogue employers from Friday face civil penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker they employ. Those found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison. The change comes as BIA stepped up action in 2007 against illegal working by 40 per cent.

As the measures announced take effect the government is also taking steps to target rogue employers through new legislation in the Employment Bill. The Bill proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying workers the minimum wage and agencies which exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.

This year will also see the establishment of a new UK Border Agency to ensure the UK has one of the toughest borders in the world. Further measures include the introduction of a new system to count people in and out of the UK and ID cards to strengthen the UK border and help keep out those who don’t have the right to be here.

Tier 1 is the first of five tiers of the PBS due to be rolled out over the next 18 months. Tier 2, targeting skilled workers with a job offer and Tier 5, for temporary workers such as musicians, actors and sportsmen will both come on line in the third quarter of 2008. Tier 4, for students, will follow at the beginning of 2009.

Tier 3, which covers low skilled routes, will only be used if specific shortages are identified that cannot be filled from the UK on domestic or European labour force.

The Employment Bill (2007-2008), introduced by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, will ensure there is no hiding place for rogue employers who try to exploit vulnerable workers.