Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown. - REUTERS

Deon P Green, Gleaner Writer

London, England:

The new five-tier points system aimed at regulating workers who will compete with British workers for unskilled jobs will become effective in the New Year based on a timetable revealed by Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, this week. The system, copied from an Australian model, will only allow workers with skills needed in Britain to enter and remain in that country.

The system is being implemented alongside other measures that will make it more difficult for immigrants to enter Britain or those there to gain British citizenship.

The Gleaner understands that the tightening of immigration controls in Britain is to stem large-scale migration which has been placing a burden on social and educational sectors with increased demands for school places and housing accommodation.

Increased fees

Earlier this month it was disclosed that foreign nationals residing in England face higher fees and a more difficult test to become British nationals. To apply for British citizenship, the cost is now 655 up from 268 along with a 34 and value added tax charge to do the test each time.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Gordon Brown, the man tipped to be Britain's next Prime Minister, said that migrants should do communitywork as part of their orientation to British lifestyle and society.

Along with individual fees, indefinite leave to remain, a citizenship test and naturalisation, before swearing allegiance to the Queen, the chancellor believes the process of becoming a British citizen needs more focus, and this could be achieved through community work as an additional component.

The five-tier system to enter Britain

Tier one: The only group to come to Britain without a job offer is highly skilled workers such as doctors, engineers and information technology specialists.

Tier two: Qualified workers such as nurses, administrators and teachers who will be allowed in only to fill shortages.

Tier three: Low-skilled workers will be granted entry to fill specific job vacancies for fixed periods - must guarantee to leave at the end of their stay.

Tier four: Students and special sectors such as sports people and employees of international companies based in Britain.

Tier five: Youth mobility and temporary workers, such as working holidaymakers, musicians coming to play and sports people coming to compete.