New White Paper gives details
of immigration rules
after Brexit
13 July 2018
Two days after his appointment as the new Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Dominic Raab delivered a statement in Parliament yesterday.
It gave details of the White Paper entitled’ The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.’
He reaffirmed the government’s wish to honour the result of the 2016 referendum and end free movement and allowing the UK to take back control over
‘how many people come to live in the UK, and include a new framework that respects the UK’s control of its borders, enabling UK and EU citizens to continue to travel to each other’s countries and businesses and professionals to provide services, and to help students and young people to enjoy the opportunities and experiences available in the UK and the EU – in line with the arrangements that the UK might want to offer to other close trading partners in the future.’
‘A key component of this will be our proposal for a Facilitated Customs Arrangement (FCA), a business-friendly model that removes the need for new routine customs checks and controls between the UK and the EU,’ he continued.
The White Paper also set out a new ‘framework for mobility’. It recognises that there are 3.5 million EU citizens living in the UK and confirms that
‘the UK and the EU have already reached an agreement on citizens’ rights which provides EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU before the end of the implementation period with certainty about their rights going forward.
‘Individuals will continue to be able to move, live and work on the same basis as now up until the end of December 2020.’
However, in the future, it will be up to Parliament to ‘determine the domestic immigration rules that will apply. Free movement of people will end as the UK leaves the EU. The Immigration Bill will bring EU migration under UK law, enabling the UK to set out its future immigration system in domestic legislation.’
Various business groups responded without enthusiasm.
The City of London Corporation stated:
‘The financial and related professional services sector will be less able to create jobs, generate tax and support growth across the wider economy. It’s that simple. Time is running out so it is essential that the pace of negotiations accelerates to ensure an orderly Brexit. Both sides should engage constructively to deliver a deep and comprehensive relationship covering services, not just goods, for the benefit of consumers and citizens across Europe.’
The Institute of Directors said:
‘The biggest question mark looms over what will replace freedom of movement . . . We would urge the Government to bring forward its plans for post-Brexit migration, which should be at the heart of our future economic partnership with Europe.’
And Eurosceptic Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg commented:
‘This is the greatest vassalage since King John paid homage to Phillip II at Le Goulet in 1200. This White Paper has not needed age to turn yellow.’
In brief, the White Paper will
- support businesses to provide services and to move their talented people
- allow citizens to travel freely, without a visa, for tourism and temporary business
activity - facilitate mobility for students and young people, enabling them to continue to benefit from world leading universities and the cultural experiences the UK and the EU have to offer
- ensure smooth passage for legitimate travel while strengthening the security of the UK’s borders, and
- include arrangements to ensure that UK citizens living in the EU, in future, continue to benefit from their pension entitlements and associated healthcare.
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