Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what comparative assessment she has made of the potential effect of the points-based system for immigration announced by her Department on 19 February 2020 on the skills requirements of (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.

The Government published “The UK’s Points-Based System: Policy Statement” on 19 February.

The new system will ensure we can attract the high-skilled workers we need to contribute to our economy, our communities and our public services.

In delivering on its manifesto commitments for a new points-based system, the Government has considered relevant views, evidence, and analysis. We will also keep labour market data under careful scrutiny.

Following advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) we will reduce both the general salary and skills thresholds for skilled workers.

The MAC has advised against regional variations. We will deliver a system which works for the whole of our United Kingdom.

The Home Office will publish further detail on the points-based system in due course.