There should be a better system to control and Monitor all the EU nationals mainly (Eastern European) who are entering the country. Many of them do not speak good English, has poor skills, encourage crime and expect to sponge off the "hard working British tax payer" in order to benefit for their own needs. In the long run I cannot see many benefits to the British Economy only constrains in our services such Education, Housing, Health not forgetting Benefit Systems and many of our other resources have limited funds to meet the "British Nationals" I think "British people" should have the top priority in UK everyone else last. Irrespective of being in European Union. Further more I presently work in Italy and I find there system very bureaucratic and complex and you certainly do not get nothing for nothing here. It is extremely difficult to get a job here without speaking their language unlike UK. I have worked in UK for over 16 years I feel that UK has far better systems in place.

Virginia Alltoft, Ancona, Italy

What about the scheme under which Commonwealth citizens with a British grandparent are allowed to settle in this country?

Tessa, London,

Words are cheap - action is what is needed. 1st your borders and ports of entry must be secured. Step 2 -Then there is NO reason a moratorium on ALL new immigrants should not immediately be implemented. Step 3 - Fines for employers implemented. Step 4 -Gov. can focus on rounding up and deporting those in the UK illegally and whose are unemployed. Step 5 - reassess benefits system to eliminate easy benefits for new immigrants - perhaps a one year waiting period. Stop benefits and deport again. Step 6 Stop all financial aid to any countries who refuse to accept back their citizens who are deported from UK. Step 7 - Slow paced immigration to resume - all new immigrants must go speak English, have background checks, ID verifications, skills verification and agree to the one year waiting period for UK benefits. Priority given to those who have already been hired by UK firms.

Placing the moratorium 1st insures businesses will back new rules so that new employees can begin quick entry

Maureen, Florida, USA

Beverley Thomas McGhei, St Andrews, Jamaica.
You've said it all. come over, get educated on the thick British taxpayer, then go home.nothing more to be said really.

preddo53, leeds, UK

I lefr Egland 34 years ago to return to my native Jamaica;the best decision I ever made. Most migrants are brainwashd into believing life is so good in the UK. My advice to people is not to go begging the British to remain in their country. Get your education and then leave that cold, rainy, miserable place.

Beverley Thomas McGhie, St. Andrew, Jamaica

The indiginous UK population is shrinking. That is a good thing - as Britain has finite resources (fewer, if Scotland and Wales break from the Union).

Stop the influx of people, to remove pressures like the requirement for 3 million extra homes

WS, Manchester,

More gentle taps on the back of the hand are irrelevant.
We need less hot air and fewer immigrants - and at least a temporary moratorium while we sort out the present illegal overload.

Ian, Berwick, UK

At no time ever, has the British Electorate given CONSENT for any form of immigration.

Clive Burghard , LANCING, ENGLAND

I say close the borders for the next 5 years to all EU people and those from outside of the EU until such time as proper measures are put in place to control immigration and to keep track of arrivals. During the hiatus the time could be used to create and train a proper borders services agency, close the supply line of illegals, and to properly track and find all illegals and deport them. Some tangible form of control is desperately needed until the numbers can be sorted out.

Support the Commonwealth, not the European Parliament.
Gordon Brown cannot be trusted to keep a promise.
Say NO to Tony Blair becoming president of the EU.

http://www.capc.co.uk/views_and_comments.htm
http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php
http://www.iwantareferendum.com/

Douglas , Halifax,

Kick every last one out of the country

Go home !! You are not wanted !!

Paul, Swindon,

For once we have some good news about immigration, but of course the new rules will have to be adjusted as times change. The biggest disapointment is that there are no new rules to stop far eastern Europeans from coming, those new member states who are allowing so many criminals to come. No one with a serious criminal record should be allowed to come here. Checkable proof of that needs to be in place. There is also nothing in the new legislation to deport employers or employees who break the new rules. I am very please to see the tough line against employers who illegally employ these workers, but this is only as long as forged records cannot be to hand. I expect to see many cases going before courts very shortly because the illegals are in every walk of life. I am 100% against any amnesty for those here already, any government who gives amnesty will never again have my vote!

Ray, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Canada was the first country to introduce apoints based system in 1967. Australia and New Zealnd mainly followed.
The point system mis not Australia's.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/canada1946/3frame.html
http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/print.cfm?ID=602

miguel vargas, London, UK

You have chancellor who cannot count. A primeminister who doesnt know the meaning of prudent. Why should I trust this weak bumbling home secretary?

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

This policy doesnt go far enough and doesnt help the present situation. We are already overwhelmed by immigrants are the powers that be going to send back those already here? Where is the policy that will deport ALL the illegals here? Why should businesses be fined, it is the government who have failed to secure our borders not busnesses. What about the huge numbers of migrants? We need to get out of the EU and secure our borders I for one am fed up with the influx of foreigners and the problems our towns, schools etc face because of it. Lets be rid of the lot of them andf this government and attempt to rebuild our country to be something we the indigenous population can be proud of.

Patricia Kenny, Bradford, West Yorkshire

I came here from Italy in 1968, we had to report everytime we changed jobs and had to comply with the Land regulations.Very right too and we wanted to untegrate. I have been here ever since, have two lovely grown up children and love THIS COUNTRY, So don't come here, sponge it then critzise it!Britain still has SO MUCH that twe rest of the word is jelous about. I worked myself up from unskilled porter to owning my own restaurant for many many years, then because i injured my back i din't sponge, i started to study and now for a good number of years i teach languages in Adult Ed colleges. 40 years yesterday when i first arrived here. Keep some pride up and don't let people who have no intention of integrating and if you come here don't change this Great Britain ,you are only a welcome guest after all unless you "do as thr Romans do" Ciao

Mimmo, Brentwood, essex

what is being swept under the carpet is the number of illegals already here who have arrived in the backs of lorries and have disappeared into the black labour markets. Thanks to the stupid regulation fining the driver 2,000 pounds for each one found I am aware of freight companies telling their drivers to ensure a stop at a UK Services area to let them out and slip away to avoid the fine. Over the last few years there have been thousands of people walking up motorway hard shoulders particularly from the services near Maidstone. I saw a lot of them, who did stay in the lorries, and none were asylum seekers running from opression - they were all fit young men and women often wearing designer clothing and looking for what they can get out of us. They all knew the address of Lunar House in Croydon and the form number to be filled in seeking benefit hand outs. Now we are reaping the benefit of the crime cultures they brought with them - just check the names in the papers

ted pittman, Sidcup, kent uk

Its a good START!!!

And not before time.

Gareth, Birmingham,

It is very hard for some one who has committed to this country and adapted there ways and mannerism , to only realise that he is not any more eligible to stay in this country.

The rules should be applicable only to people who are currently not in UK.

Jayes, Plymouth, England

It is ironic that fifty years after the Indians demanded the British leave India, they now account for 80% of migrants to Britain. Perhaps we should assist those who so strongly desire to live under British rule by recolonising India.

Ross Hilton, Sydney, Australia

gordon brown should also stop immigrants coming into britain from europe,only britain,sweden,and eire have a open door policy on immigrants from countries in europe,but brown will not do this ,brown loves europe infact he is a pro european fanatic,brown denys the british public a vote on the european treaty=constitution,brown denys british workers the rights to european workers rights,and will not give agency workers the same equal rights to any other worker in britain,they call him a labour pm i think not.

thomas, wallasey, wirral

John, if you switch from one visa to another, you actually do have to go through a process and could get denied...it's not just as easy as 'switching'. I am here on a work permit and met my husband while here. I could have gone through the tenuous and EXPENSIVE process of switching to a spousal visa (tons of paperwork needed), but didn't see the point as I'm already here and will remain here on my work permit (luckily). Would you deny someone who has luckily met their spouse here while at school the ability to remain and stay married?

I do wish people would remember that the increase in the number of MIGRANTS from the EU should be distinguished from the number of immigrants who come over with visas (at great expense and through lots of work). I'd hate the government to blame us for their lack of insight into the effects that EU immigration would have on all of the services.

Lee, London,

The Government should not be imposing new terms and conditions to people already on HSMP visa. These are the people who have taken a big step in their careers by coming ot UK. It will be cruel to make their lives difficult after they have made up their minds.

Zahid Zaheer, Bristol, United Kingdom

A points based system was what was introduced by UK government way back in 2002. It was called HSMP or Highly Skilled Migrant Program for people outside of EU. Unfairly to the applicants, the UK government has continuously changed the terms & conditions of the original program resulting in hardships for those who came over.

What is so unique about this new policy ? Will the government finally decide what it wants from its immigrant policy ? I dont think so. New policy has been put out to assuage public and political opinion that they are doing something about immigration.

One important thing to note is that all debates are blurring important distinction between people coming in from EU and those from other countries. However, there is no check on the numbers that can come in from EU as free movement is EU policy. However, all the Poles and Romanians are conveniently lumped in with "immigrants" inflating immigrant numbers.

Abid Khan, Toronto, Canada

Hmm so is this new law to be backdated & will MS Smith's predecessor go to jail for all the illegals working at the home office, huh?

Or is it as usual one rule for the proletariot & another for us peasants.

Bel Vaz, Cheltenham, UK

The words "shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted" come to mind.

SOS, England,

Too little, too late. Does ANYONE believe a word that this flakey Government says?

Roger, Surrey,

About time - so long as the govt really has the balls to go thru with it and the courts don't shoot it down for some stupid reason. Face facts - Britain is a small island with far too many people on it.

Rob, Chicago, USA

*YAWN*

What's the point in even attempting to justify the positions of our political elite by acknowledging how incorrect they are in our real world?

Zero point.

Jez W, Leeds,

What is the Home Office doing to enforce immigration rules for migrants already present?

Enforcement of immigration rules is the main recommendation of the Home Affairs Select Committee report on Immigration 2006.

Will the Home Office end the practise of "switching" which it has condoned for years, where a migrant with a visa has entry clearance in one category e.g. as a student, is allowed to "switch" to another category for which they do not have entry clearance e.g. to cohabit and thereby gain leave to remain. Student visas are granted on a non-settlement basis. Those who cohabit or contract a marriage of convenience can obtain leave to remain.

This is one of the numerous immigration abuses which the Home Office condoned particularly during the Blair years when immigration rules were effectively torn up.

John Collins, Bromley, Kent