May casts doubt on point-based immigration system

Prime Minister Theresa May has raised concerns over the feasibility of utilising a points-based system for controlling immigration into the UK.

The proposal was one of the key promises made by Leave campaigners during the EU referendum, however May has questioned whether the points system would work, claiming it was not a ‘silver bullet’ for addressing public concerns.

Speaking at the G20 summit of world leaders in Hangzhou, China, May said: “One of the issues is whether or not points-based systems do work. A lot of people talk about a points-based system as always being the answer in immigration.

"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 through the rules you have for people coming in, but also making sure you are rooting out abuse in the system and dealing with people if they are discovered here illegally."

The comments comes as May is under increased pressure to map out a vision of what Brexit will mean for the UK’s relations with key investors.

Recent data showed that net migration into the UK remains above 320,000, well above the government’s stated target.