May pledges to cut low-skilled immigration after Brexit

London (dpa) - Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to cut low-skilled immigration after Brexit and end freedom of movement to Britain for EU citizens.May‘s office, Downing Street, said the new policy would produce "the biggest shake-up in decades" of Britain‘s immigration system.Following a 21-month transitional period after Britain officially leaves the EU in March, "it will be this country that controls and chooses who we want to come here," May said in a statement.The government will introduce a "skills-based system where it is workers‘ skills that matter, not where they come from," she said."It will be a system that looks across the globe and attracts the people with the skills we need," May said, adding that it would "set the UK on the path to reduce immigration to sustainable levels."May is expected to focus on immigration in her keynote speech at the close of her Conservative party‘s four-day annual conference on Wednesday, when she aims to rally members behind her "Chequers" proposals for Brexit.The government suggested it could also develop a US-style visa waiver system for short-term visits.May told BBC Radio 4‘s Today programme she was considering a pilot scheme for migration of seasonal agricultural workers but would not allow widespread exemptions to the new rules.The government remains committed to reducing annual net migration to below 100,000, she said.The changes reflect the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum, when "the British public voted to leave the European Union and take back control of our borders," May said.