In a move that could have a bearing on Indians, Britain has decided to significantly reduce work permit quotas of non-EU low-skilled migrants coming in to fill labour shortages in agriculture, hospitality and food-processing industries from May.
"To take account of the new shape of the European Union we will significantly reduce the (work permit) quotas of non-EU low-skilled migrants coming in to fill labour shortages in the agriculture, hospitality and food-processing industries -- to take into account the impact of EU free movement of workers from May 1," Prime Minister Tony Blair announced while addressing the Confederation of British Industry on migration on Tuesday.
"There are half a million vacancies in our job market and our strong and growing economy needs migration to fill these vacancies," the prime minister said.
Stating that immigration is a worldwide phenomenon, which has dominated elections in countries like Denmark, Austria and Netherlands in recent years, Blair said Le Pen rose to prominence in France on the issue. In Australia and New Zealand, it has been a central question, sharply dividing the main parties.
Britain has begun a "top to bottom" analysis of the immigration system, how it operates, how it can be improved, the prime minister said, adding, "We will neither be Fortress
Britain, nor will we be an open house. Where necessary, we will tighten the immigration system. Where there are abuses we will deal with them, so that public support for the controlled migration that benefits Britain is maintained."
Acknowledging the contributions made by migrants to the UK, Blair said since the late eighties and nineties "it is IT and finance professionals from the US, India, the EU and elsewhere who have driven London's growth as the financial centre of the world in a highly competitive global market for financial services."
