Maidstone Borough Council claims the previous points-based system encouraged deprivation by giving priority to those on benefits.

BBC: Kent

Sir Andrew also said the government's points-based system to control non-EU immigration had so far "had very little effect".

BBC: Crowds of people

The limits of the points-based system may have been shown in a final question to Gordon Brown from a Bangladeshi journalist, who asked about Indian curry houses facing a shortage of chefs because of immigration laws.

BBC: Assessing Brown's immigration stance

He also said he had been given the position of immigration minister "to change perceptions" and raise the profile of the new points-based system - which he said was "tougher" and the biggest shake-up of immigration policy in 45 years.

BBC: Woolas defends population pledge

Instead, priority would shift to a merit-based system with points for things like education and language skills.

NPR: Immigration Plan Puts Price on Visa

According to Reuters, Massport instructed airlines in 2005 to unplug their wireless access points so that travelers could be graced with the new fee-based system it was installing airport-wide.

ENGADGET: FCC likely directing Logan to lay off Continental's WiFi