Burnley MP wants 'fairer, global system' after MPs pass immigration bill

The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill was 342 votes to 248, with a majority of 94, thereby clearing all stages in the House of Commons.

It paves the way for the introduction of a new points-based immigration system from January.

Commenting on the vote Antony Higginbotham MP said: “I promised I would return control of immigration from the EU to the UK and that’s what this Bill does.

"We now need to build a fairer, global immigration system which considers people based on their skills, rather than nationality.

"That’s what a points-based system will do. It will allow us to prioritise those with the highest skills and greatest talents, including scientists, engineers, academics and innovators.

"I have always believed that the new system is more than simply controlling immigration and am glad that the government has committed to reducing the overall levels of migration, while ensuring we attract the best and brightest from across the world.

"This process is about the creation of a high wage, high skill, high productivity economy and I welcome this approach as the UK needs to move away from relying on cheap labour from Europe and focus instead on investment in technology and automation."

It will now be considered by peers in the House of Lords.