Bassetlaw MP says new immigration rules will bring the brightest and best to Britain

During the election six months ago, the Conservatives promised the British people that they would introduce a firmer and fairer points-based immigration system that would attract people based on the skills they have, not where they are from.

It makes no sense that a doctor from India or a nurse from the Philippines should have to jump through more hoops than an unskilled worker from France for example.

This bill delivers on that promise – ending free movement and giving the UK full control of its immigration system for the first time in decades.

When I was knocking on doors in Worksop and elsewhere in Bassetlaw, this was the clear message that you gave me and as your representative it is something I am determined to see through and help implement.

That’s why I voted for the Bill and it’s something I truly believe in.

As we come through coronavirus, we will have a new immigration system in place that prepares the UK for the future, allowing us to attract the skilled workers we need to help rebuild our economy, our communities and our vital public services.

We also have special rules in place for those wishing to work in the NHS.

Does this new system mean that we are against all immigration or racist? Absolutely not

I value the contribution made by those who have made the UK their home and have helped to contribute to our society.

These new rules do not affect those EU nationals already living here.

We have made this clear and have introduced the EU Settlement Scheme to help people who do live here to register themselves.

I have been an immigrant myself and I also have a son who was born in Norway and a Romanian wife who works for the NHS as a doctor.

In my own case when I lived abroad it was as a school teacher – in other words because I had a skill or profession that was needed, not because I was from the UK.

Again, this is the whole point.

The new immigration system will be based on what skills you can bring to the UK – not where you come from.

Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw.