New fines for employers in the region who hire illegal workers and a tough new points system so only the best can work here are among the other measures introduced in the biggest shake-up of the immigration system for 45 years.
Sheffield will be the hub of the new system, with the vast majority of staff administering the Points Based System posted in the city. There will be 72 dedicated caseworkers plus additional admin and management support based there.
Britain's Australian-style points system kicks-off with new rules for highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in the UK who want to extend their stay. The scheme is designed to attract the most talented people with the skills the UK needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business, and technological innovation.
The Government is also today introducing a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK. No company will be granted a sponsor's licence without being approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA). Employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"The introduction of our Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come.
"Migrants benefit this country economically, contributing an estimated £6bn to our national output, as well as socially and culturally and it is right that we have a system which is fair but firm, accessible but controlled.
"Today's proposals are part of the biggest changes to British immigration policy in a generation which include a new deal for those migrants seeking citizenship here, a new UK Border Agency to strengthen controls at the border and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals."
Alongside the Government's plans to ensure Britain has access to the skills and talents it needs, rogue employers from today face civil penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker they employ. Those found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison. The change comes as BIA stepped up action in 2007 against illegal working by 40 per cent.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:
"Today sees the start of our points system and the beginning of on-the-spot fines for businesses who employ illegal workers, introduced a day ahead of schedule.
"New £10,000 penalties mean instant justice for those firms who try and undercut others by employing illegal immigrants. With the new compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals later in the year, there can be no excuse for not checking the identity of those applying for jobs.
"The key to shutting down illegal immigration is to shut down illegal jobs. Last year we stepped up our illegal working operations by 40 per cent. Now our enforcement teams have a host of new powers to shut down dodgy bosses who draw illegal immigrants to Britain."
Chris Hudson, Regional Director for the Border and Immigration Agency in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, whose staff will administer the new system in the region, added:
"These changes will have a major impact on employers in the region. Anyone who employs foreign workers from outside the EU - from small family-owned businesses to major international companies - will be affected.
"Teams from the Border and Immigration Agency have visited dozens of employers across the region explaining how to work within the new system as well as the consequences of failing to do so. Employers who don't play by the rules will now face tough new fines, and even jail.
"Migrants hoping to come and work in the region will find the new system more transparent, and will have a much clearer idea of what the requirements are to come and work here.
"These changes will ensure only workers with the skills to benefit our economy come here and continue the long-standing positive contribution that migrants have made to the region's economy and cultural life."
As well as the new measures enforcement activity by the Agency against those employers who break the rules has been stepped up.
In the period between April and December 2007, 910 people who were in the UK illegally were removed from the region.
There were also 320 successful operations carried out against business employing illegal workers.
As the measures announced today take effect, the Government is also taking steps to target rogue employers through new legislation in the Employment Bill. The Bill proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying workers the minimum wage and agencies which exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.
This year will also see the establishment of a new UK Border Agency to ensure the UK has one of the toughest borders in the world. Further measures include the introduction of a new system to count people in and out of the UK and ID cards to strengthen the UK border and help keep out those who don't have the right to be here.
