Boris' plan to tackle immigration won't work, says May: PM insists points-based system would NOT give Britain control over numbers coming into UK from the EU 

  • Mrs May used a press conference at the G20 in China to blast the policy
  • Boris Johnson put a points-based system in a Vote Leave 'manifesto' 
  • No 10 has refused to reveal what other systems are being considered 

Theresa May today defended her veto of a crucial Vote Leave pledge for points-based control of immigration amid a growing row over her Brexit plans.

The Prime Minister insisted Britons had voted to for greater control over the numbers of migrants coming to the UK and said an Australian-style system - promoted by Boris Johnson in the referendum - would not work.

Nigel Farage led criticism of Mrs May today warning her against 'backsliding' on Brexit and predicting 'real anger' in the country.

But speaking this afternoon at a press conference at the G20 summit in China, Mrs May said: 'What the British people voted for on June 23 was to bring some control in the movement of people from the EU coming to the UK.

'A points-based system does not give you that control.' 

In a press conference at the end of the G20 summit Prime Minister Theresa May defended her veto of a points-based immigration system that had been promised by Boris Johnson

Mrs May said her case was based on previous attempts to set criteria for arriving migrants, highlighting a student visa system which saw people being eligible for a visa on paper but arriving unable to speak English and with no course to attend. 

The Prime Minister said: 'That's the problem with the points-based system - I want a system where the Government is able to decide who comes in to the country, I think that's what the British people want.

'A points-based system means people come in automatically if they just meet the criteria.' 

Mr Farage earlier slammed Mrs May for dismissing the points-based immigration system promised by Boris Johnson when he led the Brexit charge.

Mrs May triggered the row as she travelled to today's summit, delivering a slap down to her Foreign Secretary over the plan.   

The PM - who has vowed 'Brexit means Brexit' - criticised the scheme before her spokesman confirmed it would not be implemented because it 'will not work'.

Downing Street said a range of alternative proposals were under constant discussion across Government but Mrs May's spokesman refused to reveal specifics.

Theresa May (pictured greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in China today) insisted Britons had voted to for greater control over the numbers of migrants coming to the UK and said an Australian-style system - promoted by Boris Johnson in the referendum - would not work

Theresa May (pictured greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in China today) insisted Britons had voted to for greater control over the numbers of migrants coming to the UK and said an Australian-style system - promoted by Boris Johnson in the referendum - would not work

Mrs May said a points-based system meant people could gain access to Britain automatically if they met criteria whereas Britons had voted for genuine control over the border 

Mrs May said a points-based system meant people could gain access to Britain automatically if they met criteria whereas Britons had voted for genuine control over the border 

Mrs May's G20 press conference was her first public grilling on her Brexit plans since she entered No 10 in July

Mrs May's G20 press conference was her first public grilling on her Brexit plans since she entered No 10 in July

Mrs May believes the Australian example, which has left immigration higher there than in Britain, proves the system does not work.

WHAT'S YOUR SCORE? HOW A POINTS-BASED MIGRANT SYSTEM WORKS  

Australia's points-based immigration system has long been pursued by some British politicians.

The idea is to only let in migrants who fill specific needs and is determined by attaching a score to different skills such as a languages or qualifications.

The current EU free movement rules mean any EU citizen can move to Britain to look for a job at any time. 

In theory, a points-based system would mean creating rules that - for example - allow in English-speaking nurses while blocking foreign-speaking builders.

Boris Johnson and Vote Leave promised to implement the policy by 2020 but it has been resisted by successive governments in relation to non-EU migrants over concerns about making the policy work in practice. 

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The Premier met her Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the G20 summit today. 

But outgoing Ukip leader Mr Farage has branded the remarks a 'worry' and warned: 'There is already huge anxiety out there in the country regarding Theresa May's reluctance to trigger Article 50.

'Her rejection of the type of migration system so many went out there and voted Leave to see implemented indicates serious backsliding.

'Those of us on the Leave side were perfectly clear in campaigning for strong border controls outside of the EU.

'The people were clear in wanting a points-based immigration system which is why so many went out and voted to Leave the European Union.

'Any watering down from that will lead to real anger.' 

In her initial remarks, the Prime Minister also refused to say whether Brexit would mean a complete end to all contributions to the EU budget, saying she did not want to reveal her 'negotiating hand' ahead of talks with Brussels.

After the G20 summit concluded today, Mrs May met Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks on the bilateral relationship between Britain and China 

After the G20 summit concluded today, Mrs May met Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks on the bilateral relationship between Britain and China 

Mrs May greeted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a meeting on the sidelines of the summit in China today after ruling out a points-based immigration system

Mrs May greeted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a meeting on the sidelines of the summit in China today after ruling out a points-based immigration system

Theresa May, left today with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the summit in China, has ruled out implementing the Vote Leave promise on points-based immigration

And she ducked questions about whether the NHS could expect a £100 million-a-week financial boost from Brexit or whether she would slash VAT on fuel.

The idea of a points-based immigration system was a central plank in Vote Leave's campaign to take Britain out of the EU, and has been backed by five serving Cabinet ministers.

At the height of the referendum campaign, Mr Johnson, International Development Secretary Priti Patel and former Justice Secretary Michael Gove launched a mini-manifesto pledging to introduce the Australian-style system after Brexit. 

Former Cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa Villiers have called for the introduction of a similar system.

But Mrs May yesterday indicated she had no intention of allowing them to keep their promise.

Speaking to reporters on a flight to the G20 summit in China, she said she was determined to bring down migrant numbers in the wake of the Brexit vote.

But Mrs May added: 'A lot of people talk about a points-based system always being the answer to immigration.

Boris Johnson (left) was sat next to Brexit Cabinet minister David Davis (middle) during his two-hour statement on the Government's plans for Brexit negotiations

Boris Johnson (left) was sat next to Brexit Cabinet minister David Davis (middle) during his two-hour statement on the Government's plans for Brexit negotiations

Mrs May, pictured at today's G20 talks in China, has long been sceptical of the points-based immigration system as No 10 today warned the scheme 'would not work' 

Mrs May, pictured at today's G20 talks in China, has long been sceptical of the points-based immigration system as No 10 today warned the scheme 'would not work' 

'There is no single silver bullet that is the answer in terms of dealing with immigration.

'You have to look across the board. You have to look at the whole range of issues – not just how you bring control, but also making sure you're rooting out the problems in the system.

'And obviously dealing with people if they're discovered here illegally.'

A Downing Street spokesman today added: 'One of the opportunities of Brexit is that we will be able to control the number of people coming to Britain from the EU

'The precise way in which the Government will control the movement of EU nationals to Britain after Brexit is yet to be determined.

'However, as the PM has said many times in the past, a points-based system will not work and is not an option.'

The idea of a points-based immigration system was a central plank in Vote Leave's campaign to take Britain out of the EU, and has been backed by five serving Cabinet minister - including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, pictured left in the Commons today with Brexit secretary David Davis

The idea of a points-based immigration system was a central plank in Vote Leave's campaign to take Britain out of the EU, and has been backed by five serving Cabinet minister - including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, pictured left in the Commons today with Brexit secretary David Davis

Theresa May appointed Boris as her Foreign Secretary when she formed her cabinet 

Theresa May appointed Boris as her Foreign Secretary when she formed her cabinet 

Immigration is set to be a key talking point today when Mrs May holds one-to-one talks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both of whom are concerned about restrictions on visas to study and work in the UK.

Australia's tough immigration points system is credited with keeping numbers under control while ensuring the country's economy can access the skills it needs.

Visas for skilled workers are points-tested according to the need for their skills in the Australian economy. 

Extra points are awarded for factors such as experience, qualifications and age. But critics argue there is no guarantee it would bring numbers down, pointing out that Australia has proportionately higher immigration than the UK.

Mrs May has already ordered Home Secretary Amber Rudd to draw up plans to cut non-EU immigration by clamping down on the three main routes into Britain – student visas, work and family reunions and work.

Nigel Farage, the outgoing Ukip leader, today warned of 'real anger' in the country if Mrs May blocked the Vote Leave pledge of a points-based immigration system 

The Prime Minister has yet to say how she will cut immigration. But her comments yesterday suggest she has abandoned the idea of a points-based system, and will focus instead on some form of work visa system where even skilled migrants have to have a job before they can come to Britain.

Veteran eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash told MailOnline the most important thing was to repeal all EU laws and treaties and pass a 'sovereign' Immigration Act.

He said:  'Immigration was a major issue during the campaign. The British people, by Act of Parliament, were given the right to make the decision as to whether to remain or leave.

'It is completely binding and there is no question immigration was a factor. 

'But as to what immigration policy would be, there is nothing specific whatsoever that comes out of the campaign and certainly not a points-based system.

'The bottom line is we will have our own Immigration Act.' 

Mr Farage was today highly critical of Mrs May's move to rule out implementing the high profile Vote Leave promise 

Mr Farage was today highly critical of Mrs May's move to rule out implementing the high profile Vote Leave promise 

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham said: 'The referendum was a major decision and what the country needed more than anything else was leadership from Ministers.

'But instead, we are getting confusion from the Tory Government on its immigration policy. A number of members of the Cabinet made this pledge and voters will be surprised to see the Prime Minister rip it up without any consultation.

'The Government must clear this up without delay.' 

Her decision is embarrassing for Mr Johnson and fellow Vote Leave campaigners.

Launching the policy in June, Mr Johnson said: 'By the next General Election, we will create a genuine Australian-style points-based immigration system.

'The automatic right of all EU citizens to come to live and work in the UK will end, as will EU control over vital aspects of our social security system.

'If we implement these principles, for the first time in a generation it will be possible for politicians to keep their promises on migration.'

Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, backed Mrs May, saying: 'The way to cut immigration from the European Union is by issuing work permits. If you go for a points-based system it becomes a mindless way of doing it. Nobody can check whether points are being accurately described.

'We already have a work permit system for non-EU citizens. The way to tackle this is to wrap up EU migrants in the same way. The effect would be that low-skilled migrants would not qualify.'

But Labour MP Chuka Umunna, chairman of Vote Leave Watch, accused the Government of reneging on promises made during the Brexit campaign.

'Boris Johnson and his Vote Leave colleagues spent the whole referendum campaign making impossible promises,' he said. 'Theresa May cannot be let off the hook either.

'After barely campaigning for Remain, our unelected Prime Minister now contemptuously dismisses policies like increasing spending on the NHS which people voted on in good faith and great numbers. 

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