EU migrants ‘won’t get preferential treatment after Brexit’
Prime Minister hints at new immigration system after saying British public voted for fairer rules for all
EU MIGRANTS will not get special treatment after Brexit, Theresa May has suggested, ahead of the launch of a major report into immigration today.
The Prime Minister said the British people had voted for a fairer immigration system as she gave the strongest hint yet that the Government would implement a policy which treated all migrants the same no matter where they came from.
Her remarks appeared to suggest that a row over what the future migration system may look like had been settled, amid claims that Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, had been campaigning behind the scenes for EU nationals to be given preferential treatment.
The Migration Advisory Council will publish a report today after being tasked by the Prime Minister with evaluating the needs of the economy and coming up with suggestions for a future immigration system.
The report will come days after the council published a study on the impact of international students on the economy in which it stated that students should not be excluded from the net migration target and a more generous policy of post-study leave should be introduced to encourage the best to stay in the UK to work.
Speaking to Panorama on BBC One, Mrs May said: “What I’m very clear about is the message from the British people was very simple.
“It was they didn’t want a situation where they could see people coming
from the European Union having those automatic rights in terms of coming here to the United Kingdom, and a set of rules for people outside the European Union.
“What we will be doing is putting forward a set of rules for people from the European Union and people from outside the European Union.”
The UK’S immigration rules will change after Brexit because the country will no longer be bound by freedom of movement laws which are an essential part of EU membership.
Reports earlier this year suggested Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister supported a plan to create a new immigration system that would apply equally to all migrants from around the world.
Speaking shortly after being appointed, Mr Javid said he was aiming to “have a strategy in place about making sure we have an immigration policy which is fair and treats people with respect and decency”.
But Mr Hammond was reported to want a scheme that would not curb EU migration altogether as part of a plan to ensure the economy would continue to enjoy a steady supply of labour.
Mrs May’s remarks are the strongest suggestion yet that the Government wants a new system for all those seeking to come and work in Britain.
Mrs May was asked on a special Brexit edition of Panorama broadcast last night to complete the sentence: “Brexit is a good idea because…” and replied: “It gives the United Kingdom opportunities as an independent and sovereign state to build a better future for all our people.”
Asked whether she believes in Brexit, she would only say: “I believe that our best days are ahead of us.” The Prime Minister also took a swipe at Boris Johnson, who has accused Mrs May of waving the white flag to the EU and risking a “total write-off ” of Brexit unless she ditches her Chequers plan.
She said: “Boris was here of course at Chequers and was part of the Cabinet that agreed this plan and putting this plan forward and then obviously took his decision thereafter about his position.”
‘I believe that our best days are ahead of us’