Theresa May refuses to back points-based immigration system

Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out the possibility of a points-based immigration system for the UK, despite promises from Brexit campaigners to the contrary.

A points system similar to that of Australia, whereby prospective immigrants are chosen based on attributes, such as qualifications and level of English, was brandished by the likes of Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage in the run up to the UK's vote to leave the European Union in June as a way of curbing immigration levels.

May was speaking after a G20 summit in China in which she was meeting with several world leaders to discuss a variety of issues.

"What the British people voted for on June 23 was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union to the UK. A points-based system does not give you that control," May told a press conference in Hangzhou.

The Prime Minister argued that certain people who meet set criteria would be allowed to enter the country regardless of the circumstances.

"I want a system where the Government is able to decide who comes into the country. I think that's what the British people want. A points-based system means that people come in automatically if they just meet the criteria."

Outgoing UKIP leader Farage was critical of May's apparent "backsliding" on the immigration issue

"I think there will be a lot of people today who voted for Brexit, who were happy when the Prime Minister said 'Brexit means Brexit', but are now just a little bit worried."

The UK government is deliberating over when to invoke Article 50, which will formally begin the process of its departure from the EU. The action is not expected to happen until early 2017.