Written question asked by Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 January 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 5 January 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many highly skilled migrants have been accepted in each year since the inception of the highly skilled migrant programme, broken down by country. - Inc figures.

Answer: Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many highly skilled migrants have been accepted in each year since the inception of the highly skilled migrant programme, broken down by country. [140703] Beverley Hughes: The highly skilled migrant programme was launched on 28 January 2002. As at 30 November 2003 a total of 8,628 applications have been received. From 28 January to 31 December 2002-- 1,194 applications were approved. From 1 January to 30 November 2003--3,864 applications have been approved. Current management information limitations do not, at present, provide a breakdown in the format requested. However, up to 30 August 2003 the number of applications received for the top ten nationalities were as follows: India--832 United States of America--751 Nigeria--454 Pakistan--381 South Africa--319 Australia--307 Zimbabwe--176 Canada--153 China People's Republic of--126 Russia--123

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 140703; 416 c11-2W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Applications Nationality Migrant workers Skilled workers Work permits Highly skilled migrant programme
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk