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It's not only the 'Alf Garnetts' who are worried about immigration, admits minister as low-skilled migrants are banned
Last updated at 02:07am on 07.12.07
Comic Cockney Alf Garnett, played by Warren Mitchell, was a mean-spirited, misogynistic bigot whose views were so obviously unacceptable as to be risible
The Home Office - which said it could not ignore public alarm over immigration - also unveiled plans to stop foreigners entering the country on a marriage visa if they fail an English test.
In a further move targeting arranged marriages which take place in India and Pakistan, the age at which a British citizen can bring a husband or wife into the country from abroad will be raised to 21.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said Britain is not a nation of 'Alf Garnetts' - a reference to the racist television comedy character.
He said the public has legitimate concerns which need addressing, before conceding: "We ignore concerns about the wider impact of immigration at our peril."
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Foreign workers such as teachers and plumbers from countries such as Poland, which is part of the EU, do not face the new restrictions - but from outside the EU they would only be allowed in if there was a skills shortage under new plans
Critics say the ban on low-skilled workers will have little impact, because the Government remains powerless to limit arrivals from inside the EU - including Eastern Europe.
Government officials admit the 20,000 low-skilled migrants who will be turned away each year will simply be replaced by Romanians and Bulgarians, who joined the EU earlier this year.
Liam Byrne: Barring unskilled workers
There were also question marks over the crackdown on marriage visas, which allows 41,100 immigrants to enter the country each year.
It is certain to face challenges under the Human Rights Act, which protects a couple's fundamental right to marriage and a family life.
The Home Office is also likely to include loopholes on the English test, allowing some spouses a short period of grace to live in Britain if they fail the exam.
But the language used by ministers - along with the open confirmation it is not racist to worry about immigration - shows they are at last admitting the unprecedented influx of arrivals from abroad cannot continue.
Mr Byrne will say in a speech today: "What emerges from the debate I've listened to is British reason at its finest.
"Sophisticated, intelligent views and a profound sense of fairness and tolerance for a Britain in which we live and let live and actually try a bit harder to be a bit more welcoming, and a bit less shy about saying hello.
"We are not a nation of Alf Garnetts. But the deal we want to put on the table is not unconditional.
"On the contrary, the rules are unambiguous - speak the language, obey the law, and make sure you're paying your taxes like the rest of us.
"It is a very British tough-minded fairness.
"And there is a sense in the public mind that the sooner newcomers start on the type of journey we have in mind, the better."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, in her first major speech on immigration, said yesterday: "For all its undoubted benefits, the increased flow of migration that the UK and other countries have experienced has brought with it important challenges."
The ban on low-skilled workers will be included in the introduction of a points-based system for all migrants, due early next year.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will call the measures the 'biggest shake-up of our immigration system in our history'
Originally, a tier had been set aside for labourers and fruit pickers from outside the EU.
But that has been suspended for the 'foreseeable future'.
Instead, any unskilled jobs will be taken by EU workers.
Opponents say the Government is 'closing the door after the horse has bolted', with migrants from Asia and Africa being punished for poor decision-making over EU expansion.
English tests for spouses will also target developing countries.
They were introduced for foreigners taking British citizenship from November 2005 and were extended to those seeking settlement in April this year.
Widening the scope to spouses is expected to have a particular impact on the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, which between them saw 17,000 spouses enter the UK last year.
• Foreign criminals with unspent convictions will finally be barred from winning citizenship, the Home Office said last night.
It follows revelations that one of the July 21 bombers had been handed a passport despite a string of criminal convictions.
Current rules allow foreign criminals to be granted citizenship, regardless of their offence, provided they manage a 'clear' period without breaking the law.
Jacqui Smith said any convict jailed for 30 months or more would be banned. So would anybody guilty of a violent, sexual or drugs crime.
Foreigners guilty of minor misdemeanours would be blocked until their conviction was considered spent. strong>
Reader views (24)
I still feel this country has its identity and I am very proud to be English and live in London. I am happy to have English, Australian, American, Brazilian, Spanish, Indian, South African.(etc) friends that I live near. They all work, and work very hard, spend their money boosting the UK economy and are not a drain, unlike many 'home grown' layabouts who are first to moan about having longer queues for their benefits.
- Noel, SW8
I'm really saddened by the number of blatantly ignorant posts in response to this report. Unfortunately it seems there are still plenty of Alf Garnetts in this country.
- Charlie, Soho
Typical of Labour though, as they address immigration they have to bring up racism. The two are NOT connected!
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
The people to blame are the PC Labour voters who are so keen to show their non-racist credentials that they have ignored the very real problems which have been obvious for some years now. Whatever is done now will make precious little difference as there as there are so many people here from different cultures already.
- Sheila, London
Jaqie go shake up yourself! You let them all in and now are confused what to do next...
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Why does the Minister keep talking about bans on "non-EU" countries, rather than a ban on all non-skilled immigration into the UK? Could it possibly be because the UK is now in effect a province of the European Union, and provinces don't get any say as to who enters the country (EU) itself? To be honest with the public, she should say that she has no control over who enters the new EU federal state, which is the new country being created. Beyond that, she should also say that UK power is now minimal (1 vote of 27) in deciding who can enter the EU (after the Reform Treaty ratification, majority voting will mean that the UK will no longer have this power!). Why don't the British people wake up to what is happening here, and the massive lies being told?
- Phil Jones, London, UK
Anyone who travels on the underground these days (as I do) will experience first hand the strain London is under with the population boom. We clearly cannot cope. We were struggling with our own people as it was prior to the opening of the floodgates. Pure misery.
You cannot tell me all these passengers have just completed a day's work either.
We are feeling the pressure and it makes for a downright depressing commute I can tell you.
- Steve, London
The government is not going to do anything to stop immigration and even if it did it is too late - England has been given away.
- Paul Walker, London, England
Having Labour lining up and even quoting Alf Garnet, that's funny, after all wasn't it Cherie Blair's dad who wrote the TV series?
- Will, London
World War Three happened by stealth. The British lost the war. Now we British have no power and no say. We lost our country!
- Dave, England, UK
Nu Labor will do nothing as usual to enforce these new rules. The war is over now and the foreigners won.
- Ingrid Ribe, Essex, England
The immigration crisis happened because the apathetic British did not protest in the streets and stop the invasion of our country by foreigners. It is too late now, the country is under foreign occupation.
- Marilyn Havers, London, UK
We need to stop all foreigners coming in, find out who is here and what they are up to, and deport all who should not be here! We should not allow these arranged marriages to foreigners in a modern country like ours.
- Charlotte Browning, Bolton, England
This should have always been in place. The Labour party unrestricted immigration into the UK and they must be held accountable for the consequences.
- Brandon Thomas, London, UK
I humbly suggest that Jacqui Smith face a basic arithmetic test (simply so that she can actually count how many illegal immigrants are in the UK) before any talk of an English tests for immigrants.
- Tom, St. Albans
How about some of our darned politicians be forced to sit some "common sense" tests? honestly!
- Marianne, SW France
Why only non-EU...I really wish that our government would stand up and be counted. I cannot see that difference - your either foreign or your not. I do not recognise any difference between EU and non-EU and it's about time our government did the same.
- Tony Heath, Godalming
Note that they are barring low-skill workers from "NON-EU" countries. This means that low skill workers can still flood in from within the EU.
Smoke and mirrors anyone?
- Rogan, Dallas TX
Better start with their own departments then. How many illegals are working for the Labour government? I believe the figure was in the thousands and of course I am sure they all speak perfect English!
I can remember a news item not so long ago where the Labour department for information spelt the Isle of Wight - Isle of White.
I'n't = Translation for all us Anglo-Saxons "Is it not". Phonetic = Innnnniiiitttt!
- Frank, Home Counties, England
About 30 years too late. Makes no difference now, half of London doesn't speak English.
The country has sold its identity and pride down the river.
- L B, London
Too little, too late.
- Zak, London, UK
Labour was known for "tax and spend" policies. To avoid this tag they have raised taxes by stealth and boosted the PAYE income by higher numbers of working adults with a quite reckless open door policy. Or have they? Yes we have an influx of foreign workers, but how many actually pay tax? How many are working cash in hand as painters/plumbers etc? OK so UK householders get a cheaper service, but we are now in danger of losing our national identity due to the influx. Call me cynical but when these migrants are here long enough to claim benefits what will happen the government coffers then? Finally just who do you think these immigrants will vote for if (when) they get the vote?
- Paul, London
I think its a bit like shutting the barn door after the horse has left.
- Terry, London
Jacqie you cannot shake up anything! The only positive would be if Nu Labor goes and the Conservatives can sort out the economy and the Home office security. No more Nu Labor soft on crime and soft on immigration!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
