British workers will now be first in line for UK jobs due to a new Home Office initiative.

British workers will be first in line for UK jobs due to a Home Office initiative, which will ensure jobs are advertised in the UK for longer, before being offered overseas.

From 2010, all jobs must now be advertised in local branches of Jobcentre Plus for one month instead of two weeks before they can be advertised outside of Europe.

Another change within the initiative is that overseas workers who want to work at their company’s UK office will have to have worked for the organisation for one year, rather than the current six months.

In addition, the minimum salary of an overseas worker needed to apply for skilled work in the UK will rise from £17,000 to £20,000.

Alan Johnson, UK Home Secretary, said: “The introduction of the points-based system has radically improved our ability to respond quickly to changing economic circumstances.

“These changes will ensure that businesses can recruit the skilled workers that the economy needs, but not at the expense of British workers, nor as a cheaper alternative to investing in the skills of the existing workforce.”

In February 2008, a new points-based system was introduced in the UK in an effort to ensure only highly-skilled people could study or work in the country. The points recognise factors such as age, aptitude and experience, and the system has been designed to minimise the number of failed applications from overseas workers.