Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the previous arrangements for a cap on the annual number of work permits (1) have been deleted in the revised Immigration Rules, published on 22 October, and (2) are stated as having been suspended in the explanatory notes, published on 22 October; what are the steps which need to be taken (a) to re-impose, and (b) to bring into force, such a cap; and what estimate they have made of the time it would take to take such steps.

The Points-Based Immigration System will allow the Government to take back full control of our borders. We will suspend the cap on the number of skilled workers able to apply to come to the UK, as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee. Other controls such as sponsorship by a licenced employer, a system of salary thresholds and a requirement for employers to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, will ensure immigration is managed and considered alongside investment in and protection of the UK’s resident labour market.

The Skilled Worker route will be kept under review and we will retain the right to introduce further controls if necessary, based on experience and evidence.