The government has unveiled a new points-based immigration system, which will require anyone wishing to work in the UK to be able to speak English first and have a 'sponsored route' in order to gain a visa.
Speaking on Sky News, the home secretary Priti Patel, stated that it was 'right' that these laws are enforced upon those wanting to live and work in the UK.
We're being very clear about this - this is a system that puts the British government in control of its immigration policy for the first time in decades.
And, yes, it is right that people should speak English before they come to our country, that they should have a sponsored route, whether it's through employment or a sponsored route through an academic institution.
This complete overhaul of the immigration system is in line with the pledges made by the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 EU referendum and will also require skilled migrants to have a salary of £25,600 from an approved sponsor.
The system which will be introduced on January 1 2021, has been compared to the one used in Australia, but shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott has called it a 'meaningless soundbite.'
This isn't an 'Australian points-based system', which is a meaningless government soundbite. It's a salary threshold system, which will need to have so many exemptions, for the NHS, for social care and many parts of the private sector, that it will be meaningless.
Ultimately, it will also be very difficult to attract the workers we need at all skill levels while the Tories' hostile environment is in place. It needs to go.
This major government reform has sparked anger online, with many experts pointing out that it is likely to have a major effect on the British job sector.
Biggest change in UK immigration for 40 years. I just can’t get over that £25.6k is considered the cut off point f… https://t.co/nvSmPpw3wM— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@Dr. Jennifer Cassidy) 1582098971
Reciprocity seems to be the elephant in the room this morning. If the EU were to mirror the new UK approach to immi… https://t.co/5qwPwoLcUI— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1582101841
Under @BorisJohnson’s new rules anyone earning less than £25.6k is an unskilled worker. NHS starting salaries: Nu… https://t.co/78LPxgj4JY— Rachel Clarke (@Rachel Clarke) 1582100283
The new Tory immigration policies revealed last night are a devastating blow to Scotland. Not only are vital secto… https://t.co/gOe0od6jRU— William G. Saraband 🏴🇵🇹🏳️🌈 (@William G. Saraband 🏴🇵🇹🏳️🌈) 1582101237
"The lack of low-skilled work Visa is going to cause difficulties for employers" Immigration lawyer Ian Robinson s… https://t.co/Gyxcq0LKIb— Kay Burley (@Kay Burley) 1582100786
Beyond the headlines, as I reported last month, the govt isn’t really proposing a comprehensive Australian style po… https://t.co/egSvYALsb3— Lewis Goodall (@Lewis Goodall) 1582100587
I'm very proud of our new #Immigration Policy. We will be taking back control of all the awful, low paid jobs and g… https://t.co/44Uu4td8SB— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1582103854
Priti Patel's comments on people having to speak English have also attracted criticism.
Priti Patel. Slamming the door on generations of migrants who come to this country with little English then integ… https://t.co/s0m9oBIHWF— Aye, Have a Voice (@Aye, Have a Voice) 1582102309
So "you cant come to the UK if you dont speak English" says @patel4witham Imagine the other 194 countries in the… https://t.co/wRvt53PPBI— Jason J Hunter (Not a noble Lord) (@Jason J Hunter (Not a noble Lord)) 1582102540
Hey @patel4witham how are you going to ensure UK citizens can achieve B2 level in English as a minimum? Also, as th… https://t.co/isk8g9cFI2— Ceri Booth 🏳️🌈❤️😁🍺🏴 (@Ceri Booth 🏳️🌈❤️😁🍺🏴) 1582101146
Priti Patel wants to stop all low skilled #immigration & racistly suggests all immigrants speak English. Will the g… https://t.co/QMXPLsbJMn— Martin Cockshaw 🇪🇺 #FBPE (@Martin Cockshaw 🇪🇺 #FBPE) 1582103198
The hashtag #BrexitReality soon started to trend, with people pointing out how this system will affect EU citizens.
Years of failing to tell the truth to the public about #migration and now a catastrophic approach built on those li… https://t.co/mC2nqU1qtB— John Howarth (@John Howarth) 1582070555
So no visas for low skilled workers and minimum salaries well above the minimum wage. This is playing politics wit… https://t.co/6z4E8HBtRg— John Petrie #European, Stay In (@John Petrie #European, Stay In) 1582098413
#Immigration The UK is now just like the US, no-one is welcome, can't say am surprised, us Scots and are voice is… https://t.co/HZUZyXpAuM— Shaun Masterton (@Shaun Masterton) 1582102794
And this very much just sums it up... #Immigration #ImmigrationReform #BrexitReality #BrexitBritain https://t.co/F3keSpCzba— Dr Iain MacInnes (@Dr Iain MacInnes) 1582102757
A Simpsons Meme feels an odd way to end this story but this is really fitting.
https://t.co/v5dlodtUlA https://t.co/ccmVleLQMa— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@Ireland Simpsons Fans) 1582067713