The new points based immigration system has been welcomed as bringing a higher level of skills into the UK technology market raising standards in the sector.

The phased system which started in February allows highly skilled migrants to qualify for entry prior to securing permanent employment while unskilled who don’t earn enough points will be excluded.

“Higher level people can qualify on points and obtain a work permit. Unskilled workers will see it as a problem, because they would not qualify on the points based system, but for the IT industry, it’s a positive thing,” said Marilyn Davidson, director of the Association of Technology Staffing Companies (ATSCO).

“If you get highly skilled people entering a market, by default it will increase competition and boost skills,” said Ollie Ross, head of research at the Corporate IT Forum.

“It could re-energise the skills pool we have, although people will have to get with it or get out,” she said.

Peter Skyte, National Officer at the union Unite said: “The main thing is to ensure that the system doesn’t deny domestic workers opportunities to secure jobs in the UK market."