Thread by @KidTempo

An Australian-style points-based actually give the UK government *less* control over immigration than it currently has. Sounds counter-intuitive? Read on...

Currently, UKGov offers visas based on a classification system - with various caps on the number of visas that can be granted in each class. (There is also a "general" classification, but since this thread is comparing with a points-based system, I'll not cover that)

So if UKGov decides that the economy needs (for example) 10,000 more plumbers it can create a plumber-class visa to be granted to applicants who intend to come to work in the UK as plumbers, and grant up to a limit of 10K visas.

Applicants would have to prove that they have a firm offer of work as a plumber to qualify for the visa. If UKGov wants 10K plumbers, it can give out 10K visas to plumbers (assuming that 10K plumbers apply, obvs)

Under a point-based system, UKGov would have to raise the number of points given to any applicant with the plumbing skill high enough to allow them to qualify for a visa (assuming they have enough points in some other general areas)

But that means that *anyone* who applies for a visa and, presumably, has a qualification or can prove experience as a plumber gets a visa - even if they have no intention of being a plumber. And the same applies to any other skills.

That means that:

Under the current system: (up to) 10K plumbers visas are granted.

Under a points-based system: it could be 5K, 10K, 20K, or any number of visas are granted to people who have the skill "plumber" and who may or may not want to come to the UK to be a plumber.

On top of which, under the current system UKGov *could* decide that it needs plumbers in (for example) the South West, but not in the North West. It *could* prioritise applicants with firm offers of work in the SW and put those in the NW at the bottom of the pile.

A points-based system doesn't allow this... well, technically it *could* impose caps, but that'd mean that it's no longer really what it claims to be, and is in fact really the current system with "points" having been forced in and manipulated to fit the existing classifications.

The points-based system simply doesn't do what the Tories say it will do. Australia doesn't use it as a tool to limit migration, it uses it as a method of *attracting* highly skilled immigrants.

migrationwatchuk.org/briefing-paper…

In fact, the points-based system is just a distraction to make people concerned about immigration think that they have to vote Tory (or BXP) to get it "under control". They think voters are suckers.

The control of (non-EU) immigration is already there. The points-based system is just a smoke screen, a dog-whistle to make the anti-immigration lot come running.

And if the UK wants a points-based system, it can have a points-based system (for non-EU immigration). In fact it did try this - it was a disaster. Brexit is not a prerequisite.

"But... but... but we can't control EU migration!" they say.
But what percentage of immigration comes from the EU?
70%? 50%?

No. 20%

So UKGov has *full* control over 80% of immigration, and since EU net-migration is falling, overall net-migration must be falling, right? Wrong.

The levels of non-EU net-migration have risen as EU net-migration has fallen. Overall, net-immigration is higher than it was. All within UKGov's control. All while UKGov is telling you it is trying to limit immigration. They're lying to you.

While I obviously disagree with Leavers as to whether Freedom of Movement is a good or bad - but the argument that we should replace FoM with an Australian points-based system is for suckers. They're being played.