Theresa May rules out points-based system as it will not give enough control over EU citizens coming to Britain
Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday said that introducing a points-based immigration system in the wake of Brexit would not give Britain full control of its borders.
Many leading Leave campaigners in the EU referendum campaign had called for Britain to adopt an Australian-style system.
Speaking at a press conference following the G20 summit in China, May ruled out such a system.
Reuters quoted the Prime Minister as saying: "What the British people voted for on the 23rd of June was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union to the UK. A points-based system does not give you that control."
Politics Home noted that May illustrated her point by recalling how border force officers warned her when she was Home Secretary that the current system was being "abused" by some overseas students who were given automatic entry, but did not appear to be coming to complete a genuine course.
"But because they met the criteria, they were automatically let in. That's the problem with a points-based system. I want a system where the government is able to decide who comes into the country," May said.
According to the Guardian, sources at Number 10 said May was still intending to honour the essence of what people voted for by bringing in a system that would be more effective at curbing immigration than the Vote Leave and UKIP points-based idea.
"Theoretically, this could include a work permit or visa system, restrictions on entry to those with job offers, a quota system or an emergency brake. However, the prime minister has given no details about how this might be done and has not answered the crucial question of whether the government could give preferential access to EU citizens over those from the rest of the world," the Guardian stated.
According to the Telegraph, it is understood that May is planning a tough work permit system to ensure that EU migrants will need a job offer and cannot come to Britain looking for work.