HL Deb 26 January 2004 vol 656 c5WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many work permits for the United Kingdom have been "sectors based scheme", since they came into office; and how many were temporary. [HL496]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Work Permits (UK) had issued 3,878 Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) permits up to 30 September 2003.

Works permits issued under the SBS may be granted for a period of up to 12 months and are therefore considered to be "temporary". While individuals are permitted to participate in the SBS on more than one occasion, successive periods of SBS employment do not lead to permanent settlement in the UK.