To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 8 January 2008, Official Report, columns 453-4W, on entry clearances: employment, how many work permit applications by non-EU workers were approved in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by the 20 most frequent occupations. (253987)

[holding answer 3 February 2009]: The table shows the number of work permit applications for non-EU workers approved in each of the last three years broken down by the 20 most frequent occupations.

Figures are rounded to nearest five.

Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown.

The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. The occupational categories used are not compatible with those in the Standard Occupational Classification.

Caveats:

The figures do not equate to the number of individual nationals who were granted permits because they include those applications approved to extend or amend an existing permit or where the individual has moved to another job with a different employer. Not all those who were granted a permit took up the job and some may have been refused entry clearance or further leave to remain.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are applied in determining applications to work in the UK from (a) non-EU nationals resident in the UK, (b) EU nationals resident in the UK and (c) nationals of Commonwealth countries resident in the UK. (254439)

Full details of the criteria applied to these categories for assessing applications for work can be found on the UK Border Agency website at:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk