immigration points system

The UK government is now using a new system based on credits or `points’ to decide which workers from outside the EC (European Union) can immigrate into Britain

Potential immigrants will be graded according to their age, education, work experience and knowledge of English.
Jacqui Smith, the government’s Home Secretary, said the new system was part of the biggest change in immigration for nearly 50 years. She said: “The introduction of our Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come.”
The opposition Conservative party has criticised the government for allegedly failing to control immigration. David Davis, the Conservative Shadow Secretary, accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown of being responsible for an “open-door” immigration policy.
Critics say immigration puts too much pressure on public services, but the government says it contributes an estimated 6 billion pounds a year to the economy.
The points system will have five grades. The top grade will be for highly skilled immigrants like doctors and financial consultants. They can immigrate even if they don’t have a job waiting for them in the UK. The next three grades will be for skilled workers, lower skilled workers and students. The last  grade will be temporary employees like home helps and young people on working holidays.