UK unveils tough immigration rules

The five-year plan follows a call by the opposition Conservative Party last month for quotas for asylum seekers, as the race heats up for an expected general election this May in which immigration will be a key theme.

Support groups and trade experts, however, warned of the dangers of turning the sensitive issue into a political game, with the two main parties each wanting to take the toughest stance on foreigners.

"It is a practical and systematic response to the real problems of asylum and immigration," said Home Secretary Charles Clarke as he introduced the proposals in parliament.

"It will provide a simple and robust system for economic migration; it will tighten our rules for permanent settlement to ensure that those who stay do bring benefits to the United Kingdom," he said.

The Conservative Party, however, instantly rejected the plan, which excludes EU nationals, as "headline-grabbing" rhetoric before the election.

"It goes no way towards sorting out an asylum and immigration system, which is a total shambles," said shadow home secretary David Davis.

"This is the latest headline-grabbing initiative from a panic-stricken government in the run-up to a general election," he told ministers.

Britain currently admits 140,000 to 150,000 immigrants per year.