The government has announced plans to introduce a points-based immigration system for foreign workers.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith set out measures to reduce immigration, by awarding points to non-EU citizens applying for the right to work in the UK.

The new system will begin for some highly-skilled workers in less than 100 days.

It will see points given to applicants based on a variety of factors, including their age, qualifications and language skills.

Smith said that despite the "great social and economic benefits" of migration, people expect it to be "managed robustly and in support of Britain's national interests".

She said the new system would build on existing measures "to deliver a more secure border", including electronic checks, fingerprinting of visa applicants and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals.

"I want people coming to live and work in the UK and their families to be able to integrate fully into our society," the home secretary added."

Immigration minister Liam Byrne said the points system would not be introduced for low-skilled migrants from outside the EU "for the foreseeable future".

"These are the biggest changes to the immigration system in its history," the minister said.

"We did not expect that reform would be pain free."

Byrne said immigration policy was based solely on the interests of business, but also "in Britain's national interest".

"We will continue to listen to the voice of British business but we are trying to strike the right balance on immigration policy while we listen to the evidence," he said.

Tests

Smith also announced that the government would be strengthening its powers to block citizenship for applicants with a criminal record, saying "British citizenship is a privilege, not a right".

And she unveiled proposals to introduce compulsory English tests for foreign nationals wanting to come to the UK.

The government is publishing a consultation paper on whether people who want to come to Britain as a spouse should take a written or oral exam.

It would affect more than 40,000 people and apply to anyone wanting to marry a British citizen.

"We are underlining how important we see command of the English language," said Mr Byrne.

He said countries such as Holland had "already introduced similar provisions", adding: "There are something like 47,000 foreign spouses who came to the UK last year.

"Therefore, if we are serious about English, shouldn't we give these individuals a flying start in the UK by asking them to speak English from the day they arrive.

"The question we are asking is 'shouldn't there be a requirement to speak the language from day one?'"