NEW rules for employers to tighten up the immigration system, have been welcomed by Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich David Williams.

He said: “In the current climate people need to know that the rules are fair.

"That’s why Labour has brought in new rules for employers.

"They must now prove that they cannot fill a post with a resident worker before they are able to bring in someone from outside Europe.”

The Australian-style points based system is reducing the overall numbers of migrants and making sure that only those persons with the skills our economy needs are attracted.

Migrants must also support themselves, learn English, pay taxes and obey the law.

Their progress towards citizenship will be slowed if they do not play by these rules.

Mr Williams added: “People living here already should not lose out to migrants as that would be unfair.

"When the Migration Advisory Committee advises us of skills shortages, the priority must be to train people already living in this country and enable them to take some occupations off the list of jobs open to migrants.”