Now it is 'British jobs for British graduates'

CURBS on skilled foreign workers coming to the UK may be imposed to keep jobs open for British graduates.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said he may tighten the immigration points system before the summer when 400,000 students will leave university and look for jobs.

"We want to maintain the highest possible levels of British graduate employment," Mr Woolas told The Independent. "The points-based system that has been introduced allows us to toughen the criteria, and clearly in the economic situation that is something it is beholden on us to do."

It would allow restrictions to be imposed on migrants from outside the European Union, including America, the Far East and Africa. EU workers have free access to British jobs.

In previous recessions, graduates have found job offers dried up quickly as unemployment rose and experienced people joined the queue for vacancies.

Ministers deny making policy on the hoof in response to the row over foreign workers. They claim the scheme, dubbed "British jobs for British graduates", has been under discussion for several weeks.

It now goes to Cabinet for discussion along with other measures.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said it would use the points system "to ensure that we are doing the right thing by British workers and for the long-term stability of the economy".