The Independent, a British newspaper, published the following article about Britain's attempts to curtail immigration.  The articles discusses the most recent attempt to limit the influx of immigrants to only those considered skilled workers (think H-1B visas).  Like the U.S., the British government is requiring businesses to prove they are unable to find and hire U.S. workers to do the jobs they are seeking immigrants for. 

As Britain continues to create new legislation to handle increasing rates of immigration, we should continue to monitor their progress in handling the situation.  They might just come up with a new approach we haven't yet thought about. 

"New immigration controls detailed today would have prevented 20,000 foreign workers taking jobs in Britain last year, the Home Office said.

The restrictions form part of the Government's point-based immigration system, being introduced this year to ensure only those with skills the country needs are allowed in.

They will apply to "skilled" workers from this autumn and follow new rules already announced to apply to "highly skilled" migrants. Those for students will follow later.

Firms must show they cannot find British workers to do the job and would-be immigrants will have to show the work is skilled, they speak good English and earn over £24,000 or are well qualified.

Home Office analysis suggested 12% of non-European migrants who arrived last year under the existing work permit scheme would have been refused - around 8,000 individuals."

More on this Story