UK Govt. agrees on non-EU skilled migration cap of 43,000 in 2011-12

LONDON - The British Government will cap the number of non-EU skilled migrants allowed to enter the United Kingdom at about 43,000 next year, the BBC reports.

The 43,000 cap from next April will be 13 percent lower than 2009’s figure, but the highest figure recommended by the independent migration advisory committee last week.

It recommended that the number of migrant workers coming to the UK from outside the EU should be cut by between 13 and 25 percent next year.

However, it added that even this would contribute only 20 percent to the government’s target of reducing UK immigration to “tens of thousands”.

The other 80 percent cut would have to come from student and family migration, it added.

The decision was reached after tense talks between the Tories and the Lib Dems, who had different policies at the time of the May general election.

With the compromise worked out, Home Secretary Theresa May is due to make an announcement to the Members of Parliament on Tuesday.

It maybe recalled that while the Conservatives have pledged to get immigration down from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands per year, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said that the Tory policy ignored the fact that most immigration came from the EU.

Consultation on proposals to cut the number of non-degree level students coming to the UK would be published soon. Ministers will produce proposals to reduce the number of family members who can join immigrants already living in the UK. (ANI)