Number of skilled migrants 'heading for Britain to take well-paid jobs will top 212,000 this year'

The number of skilled migrants coming to Britain to take well-paid jobs will reach an all-time peak this year, experts predict today.

An authoritative study found that the total for this year will be 212,000, the majority from eastern Europe, against only 100,000 in 1997, the year Labour came to power.

The report by the independent Centre for Economics and Business Research also said that by 2012 there will be a total of 812,000 skilled migrants living here, an increase of 97,000 on today's level.

Ten years ago there were 400,000 here.

The sharp rise in new arrivals, who are taking senior roles in IT, computing, teaching and the Health Service, will come despite the introduction of Labour's points-based migration system last month.

It is supposed to restrict the number of skilled overseas workers coming in by forcing them to pass a points threshold based on qualifications, salary and other factors - such as whether they are applying for a post in a "shortage occupation".

But the research, which takes no account of the hundreds of thousands of lower-skilled workers arriving to take jobs in factories and agriculture, found that despite the influx already reaching unprecedented levels there are still more to come.

Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said: "This shows that Labour's much-praised points system will not get a grip on immigration.

"Only our policy of having an annual limit on immigration - set by taking into account the impact on the economy, housing, public services and social cohesion - will allow us to effectively control immigration."

The number of incoming highly-skilled migrants is "expected to peak" this year at 212,000 a year, the report found.

It will then begin to fall gradually to 2004 levels - the year eastern Europeans were given free access to the British jobs market through the EU - of around 175,000 arrivals a year by 2012.

Researchers said: "The 2004 accession member states are currently experiencing a period of rapid catch-up growth which is improving wage rates and living standards within these countries.

"There will therefore be less of an incentive to move to the UK as a way of finding improved employment."

The report was carried out for Harvey Nash, a recruitment company.

It said skilled migrants account for 2.5 per cent of the country's total workforce and directly contribute more than £36billion worth of economic output.

This is set to increase to 2.8 per cent and more than £49billion by 2012.

The total number of jobs skilled migrants either hold or "support", through payment of taxes or using services which require staff, will rise from one million to 1.5million.

The biggest employer of the skilled migrants is the Government, including the NHS and schools.

According to the report, they boost "output" in these areas by just over £13billion. By 2012, this will rise to £17.8billion.

Harvey Nash chief executive Albert Ellis said: 'Skills are critical to the UK economy, but critically lacking in our current workforce.

"Far from undermining the UK labour market, migration is vital to future economic stability, helping to fill in the gaps created by older and under-skilled workforces and make an important economic contribution.

"Businesses need to embrace skilled migration, recruit from wider social groups, as well as offer flexible and rewarding working practices for home-grown talent, in order to safeguard their long term and global competitiveness."

A Border and Immigration Agency spokesman said: "Our new points based system for managing migration will ensure that those with the right skills to benefit Britain can come here to contribute."