UK: no preferences for EU migrants after Brexit

EU nationals should be subject to the same rules as migrants from the rest of the world after free movement ceases to apply in the UK post-Brexit, the Cabinet has reportedly agreed.

The agreement in principle follows a recommendation of the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which was also backed by Labour.

The cabinet unanimously supported a system based on skills rather than nationality, a source told the BBC.

The MAC report also urged the Government to end its cap of 20,700 visas for high-skilled workers from outside the EU granted permission to work in the UK.

The study said that, if immigration is not part of the negotiations with the EU and the UK is deciding its future system in isolation, there should be no preference given to citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the present 28 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.

Last week, official advisers recommended prioritizing high-skilled migrant workers coming to Britain after Brexit, alarming companies in low-paid sectors. They also said there should be no preferential treatment for workers from the EU.

The Financial Times said that while ministers backed the advisers’ proposals, the idea of giving no preferential treatment to EU workers could change if Britain agrees a trade deal with the bloc.

“That would mean a better deal on migration, but the same offer would be available if we struck trade deals with other countries around the world,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Yesterday’s Cabinet meeting also saw Theresa May tell ministers to hold their nerve as Brexit negotiations hit a difficult stage in the wake of the rejection of her plans by EU leaders at Salzburg. The Prime Minister said she remained confident of securing a withdrawal agreement with the EU, but the Government would continue to plan for the possibility of no deal.