PM ditches red line on migrants
THERESA May was accused of a ‘complete capitulation’ on the future residency rights of EU citizens last night.
In a significant U- turn, ministers announced that any EU migrants who arrive during the Brexit transition period will have the right to settle permanently in the UK.
Previously, this had been on offer only to EU migrants who arrive before Britain formally leaves the EU in March 2019.
The Prime Minister scrapped the ‘red line’ a month after vowing to resist the demand. The move appears to be a bid to smooth the path to agreeing a transitional deal.
In January, a report by the Migrationwatch think-tank warned Britain could face an influx of one million during the two-year transition – and Mrs May insisted settlement rights must be ‘different’ for those who arrive after March 2019, as they would be ‘coming to a UK they know will be outside the EU’. But yesterday, Downing Street dropped that stance, after the EU warned it would prevent talks beginning on a trade deal. The move will enrage Tory Brexiteers who had warned the EU proposal was unacceptable.
One Eurosceptic Tory MP said: ‘This is not good news. There will be a lot of harrumphing behind the scenes.’
Lord Green of Deddington, Migrationwatch chairman, said: ‘This means anyone coming to work, study or be self- sufficient will acquire the right to remain indefinitely and bring their family. This is a complete capitulation to EU demands, as yet with no parallel commitment from EU member states.
‘This will lead to a scale of immigration that the electorate voted against and certainly don’t want to see.’ Britain had already agreed that all 3.2million EU nationals residing here can stay for the rest of their lives and enjoy the same rights as British citizens.
Migrants who have lived in the UK lawfully for at least five years will gain ‘settled status’, with full access to schools, hospitals, pensions and benefits. Those resident for a shorter period will be allowed to stay on until they have reached the five-year threshold.
The Government had proposed a ‘cut-off date’ after which new EU arrivals will no longer automatically get these residency rights. But now No 10 has agreed that EU citizens arriving in the transition period will automatically be granted the right to stay for five years and gain permanent settlement.
Ministers insist they will not enjoy the same rights to bring in family as EU nationals already resident, and will have to pass an income threshold. But it is unclear whether the EU will accept this.