UK seeks to curb migration, Indians to be hit

London: Getting a job in Britain will be more difficult now. Just weeks after introducing tougher visa norms the Labour Party and the Conservatives seem to be competing in promising tougher immigration rules in the run up to the British elections on May 6.

So the migration process that brought many Indians to Britain could become a thing of the past, going by new pledges by the main political parties.

Ahead of the May 6 elections the Labour manifesto promises that the party will make tests in English harder before anyone sets out, no automatic settlement after long stay and more benefits for British citizens and permanent residents.

"So far lack of familiarity with English has been no problem even for the educated looking for higher education," say a group of Indian students.

The Conservatives promise to get tougher and even include marriages.

"Immigration also happens as a result of marriages and family reunion. And that would continue, although as you know we do have some rules that we want to introduce about ensuring that people coming to this country have a decent standard of English," says Conservative MP Dominic Grieve.

But Labour party says that immigration will continue.

"Nobody is opposing to anybody who is legally entitled to come. Secondly those who can contribute to the economic development and social development in this country, they will not oppose to it," says Labour MP Virendra Sharma.

So it seems that Indian English will become a thing now of the past, at least in Britain.

Tougher tests in English are going to require an understanding of more than the 'No' they are now saying - no to settlement, no to benefits. It will be harder that anything under the Conservatives.

It does now seem that unless someone can come in with the kind of skills Britain desperately needs, or can bring in the kind of money that the country also desperately needs, the days of migration to Britain are over.

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#Migration #UK elections