The purpose of the Bill is to:

Replace the many existing Immigration Acts, dating back to 1971, with a single, simplified Act.

The main elements of the Bill are:

• Replace ten separate pieces of immigration law, of which some of the earlier provisions have already been partially superseded by subsequent Acts, with a single Act of Parliament;
  
• Provide for sharper and more consistent set of immigration rules, which can continue to be quickly adjusted in response to changing circumstances.

The main benefits:

• Transparency, clarity and predictability: for agency staff, applicants and sponsors, and the wider public;
  
• Efficiency and more straightforward decision-making processes: with a system friendly to all its users, and quicker and easier to reach decisions.
  
• Ensuring  the law means what it says and to make our law easier to enforce wherever possible
  
• It will look to consolidate, streamline existing procedures and close any loopholes in order to support staff and enhance their decision making
  
• Public confidence in a comprehensible system.

In addition to the proposals in the Bill, the Government is also:

Phasing in the Points Based System for immigration from 2008, which will enable control of non-EU nationals’ migration to the United Kingdom more effectively, tackle abuse and attract the most talented workers into the United Kingdom economy.

Establishing the new UK Border Agency as an agency of the Home Office, to protect our borders, control migration, prevent border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime, and implement quick and fair decisions. Frontline staff will be given both immigration and customs powers.

Continuing to build on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the partial draft bill which we published in July.  We are committed to the comprehensive reform of immigration law towards which work is now well advanced. We recognise that this is a major undertaking which needs to be done well rather than done quickly.  We will make a full draft available as soon as we can.