LONDON, June 20: The migration policy of Britain is being made restrictive for incoming students and workers by basing it on points system to be introduced in the next year.

The Migration Impacts Forum (MIF) will help collect evidence on how migration affects issues such as housing, employment, education, health and social care, crime and disorder and community cohesion.

It will consider information about the social benefits of migration and any transitional impacts and requirements; identify and share good practice in managing transitional or adjustment requirements; bring together existing evidence about the impacts of migration; and suggest areas for government research.

A new group of frontline practitioners brought together to advise government on how migration affects public services and local communities begins its work on Thursday in advance of the new points-based system for migrants.

Experts from local government, health, education, the police and criminal justice system, the voluntary sector, the CBI and TUC will discuss with ministers the wider social impacts of migration. Ministers will take the MIF’s evidence into account when they decide where to set the ‘hurdle’ that migrants need to cross to work or study in the UK.

Working alongside the MIF will be the new Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which will be made up of a team of independent experts to advise government on where in the economy there are shortages that could sensibly be filled by migration.