Historic Immigration Bill returns to Parliament

The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020 introduced on 5 March will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons today just 6 months since the British people voted to introduce a points-based immigration system.

This represents an important milestone in paving the way for the new immigration system that will deliver for the UK for years to come and puts an end to the European Union’s rules on free movement.

The bill signals the government’s commitment to delivering a fairer and skills led immigration system, attracting people based on the skills they have, not where they are from.

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel said:

This historic piece of legislation gives the UK full control of our immigration system for the first time in decades and the power to determine who comes to this country.

Our new points-based system is firmer, fairer, and simpler. It will attract the people we need to drive our economy forward and lay the foundation for a high wage, high skill, high productivity economy.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to build a future that works for the whole of the UK and for employers to focus on upskilling and investing in the workforce this country has.

This bill gives the UK flexibility and control over its borders so it can attract top talent from around the world to complement the skills already here.

Talented doctors, nurses and paramedics from all over the world are currently playing a leading role in the NHS’s efforts to fight coronavirus and save lives and we thank them – and all our NHS staff – for the work they are doing.

Our new immigration system will make it easier and quicker for medical professionals around the world to work in the NHS through a new fast-track NHS visa.

Further information on the points-based system will be detailed in the Immigration Rules published later in the year.