Theresa May says immigration points-based system is not a 'silver bullet'

credit - Press Association

Theresa May has cast doubt on the effectiveness of an Australian-style points-based system for controlling immigration into the UK, one of the key promises of Brexit campaigners during the EU referendum.

The Prime Minister, speaking in China, acknowledged people had voted for more control on the numbers of people moving to the UK.

However, she questioned whether a points system, backed by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson among others, would work.

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Australia’s points-based immigration system, suggested in the past by Ukip and other Brexit campaigners as a possible model for UK policy, is one arm of the country’s border control measures.

The system controls the variety and number of workers moving to the country, and according to the country’s Department of Immigration is “specifically designed to target migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy” and fill labour shortages.

However, May suggested that a points-based system was not a "silver bullet" for addressing public concerns.

May, speaking to the media in China, said that exercising greater control did not necessarily mean an Australian-style points system for deciding the number of skilled and unskilled workers who could come into the UK every year from the EU and beyond - with numbers to be determined by MPs.

When asked whether she was concerned this was too blunt an instrument, May said: "One of the issues is whether or not points-based systems do work.

“A lot of people talk about a points-based system as always being the answer in immigration.

"There is no single silver bullet that is the answer in terms of dealing with immigration. You have to look across the board.

"You have to look at the whole range of issues, not just how you bring control through the rules you have for people coming in, but also making sure you are rooting out abuse in the system and dealing with people if they are discovered here illegally."