The UK Government�s attempt to dispel the notion that Britain was a �soft touch� on immigration hardened last night with new proposals to ban a range of non-EU workers such as GPs and midwives as the country has no need of them

The UK Government's attempt to dispel the notion that Britain was a "soft touch" on immigration hardened last night with new proposals to ban a range of non-EU workers such as GPs and midwives as the country has no need of them.

The Home Office's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) put forward its recommendations on which skills categories from outside Europe were needed to fill shortages and which were not; the proposals did not include EU citizens as they can work in any member state.

Among those professionals on the shortages list were rail engineers, geologists, vets, ballet dancers and sheep shearers.

Those not on the list and who face being banned included GPs, midwives, IT specialists and some categories of teachers.

"Don't think we are a soft touch. There are rather more jobs which we have excluded from the list than we have included," insisted Professor David Metcalf, the MAC chairman.

Due to concern about a lack of skills, the MAC drew up a list for Scotland as well as the UK.

The Home Office is to publish its final "shortage occupation list" next month - the new points-based system becomes operational in November.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the PBS would be flexible, ensuring "only those we want, and no more, can come here to work".