Highly trained workers will be able to migrate to the UK without a job offer, but people with few skills will find it tougher under new proposals by the Home Office.

The government’s plan for migrants from outside the EU is a points-based system, in which five tiers of applicants are given specific entry requirements.

The strategy favours ‘highly skilled individuals’ such as scientists, IT experts and financial professionals, said Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.

Workers who can fill specific skills gaps are also invited. A new Skills Advisory Board will be launched in the Sector Skills Development Agency, which advises the government on the labour market.

This points-based system is currently used in America and Canada. The proposal to copy this programme in Britain was first announced in last year’s Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the scheme was easier and fairer for highly skilled workers to enter the UK.

“We want highly skilled workers that we need for our economy, but we want to prevent abuses of the immigration system,” he said.

Charles Clarke praised the strategy as being a, “simple, clear system”.