Points-based Immigration System

Christine Jardine Excerpts

Monday 24th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

That is absolutely right. We have quadrupled the seasonal agricultural workers scheme, which is vital. The flexibility in the system is crucial in respect of the way we turn around the applications. That is in effect what businesses asked for and that is what we are going to deliver.

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

The Secretary of State said in her statement that there will be

“no immigration route for lower-skilled workers.”

Even if one puts aside the patronising aspect of that statement, who does the Secretary of State think will build our homes, serve in our hotels and restaurants and care for our elderly? Does she accept that although she might see the statement as delivering

“a high-skill, high-wage and highly productive economy”,

what the rest of us hear is low caring?

[Priti Patel]

If the hon. Lady has read the policy statement, she will have seen that when it comes to needs in our labour market and our economy, the points-based system will not only involve a scoring system, but with the Migration Advisory Committee we will look at the labour market as a whole across key sectors.

[Christine Jardine]

indicated dissent.

[Priti Patel]

I am sorry that the hon. Lady continues to shake her head, but that is absolutely the right route forward. It is vital that businesses invest in people domestically, skill them up and pay them well and create the right kind of career paths for them so that their skills can be recognised.