UK to impose tough new immigration curbs

London, June 6 (IANS) Britain will soon impose tough new immigration restrictions on nationals from Ghana, among other Commonwealth countries.

Government documents leaked to British press Sunday say Prime Minister Tony Blair is to impose a quota system on tens of thousands of black and Asian immigrants seeking to come to Britain.

The Telegraph reported that in a policy U-turn, the prime minister has ordered tough new restrictions to be brought in within weeks to stop abuse "by those from New Commonwealth countries".

"Blair has stepped in to stem what No 10 describes as a 'dramatic increase' in applications from countries such as Ghana India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Bangladesh after immigration rules were loosened last year, it said.

The report added that the disclosure sparked anger among Labour MPs and pro-immigration campaigners, but Downing Street confirmed that action was imminent.

Blair reportedly ordered the quota system to be brought in during a top level "stock-take" meeting May 12 attended by senior ministers, including David Blunkett, the home secretary, and Des Browne, the immigration minister.

An eight-page memo based on the meeting reveals a key proposal by Blunkett and Browne to apply quotas to the Commonwealth Working Holiday Maker scheme, which allows immigrants to spend up to two years working casually in Britain.

Many then switch to work permits, prolonging their stay.

Previously, the scheme applied almost exclusively to "Old Commonwealth" countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, but there has been a reported "spike" in applications from Africa and Asia since last summer.

Quotas to combat immigration have been rejected repeatedly by Blair in the past, the reports said.

Alan Simpson, Labour MP, called the move "bigoted", adding: "If there are going to be quotas, they should not be racial."