UK unveils immigration curbs; EU prepares for no-deal shock

london — Britain published proposals on Wednesday for EU immigration curbs after Brexit as business groups warned the UK economy was not ready for the country to crash out of the bloc with no divorce deal in place.

The proposals include a temporary work visa system similar to “guest worker” systems in other countries as well as a consultation on a salary threshold for workers who would be allowed to settle in Britain.

The European Union also on Wednesday said it was adopting backup plans in case of a no-deal Brexit, while Prime Minister Theresa May faced another barrage of criticism in parliament for delaying a critical vote on her withdrawal deal.

Labour opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn accused May of “recklessly running down the clock” by seeking to ensure that MPs only have a choice between her deal and nodeal when parliament will be allowed to vote next month.

“She is holding parliament and the country to ransom,” he said, accusing her of a “criminal waste of money” with stepped-up no deal contingency planning.

Corbyn was later upbraided by

Conservative MPs who said he had muttered “stupid woman” at May when she mocked him over his indecision and was asked to apologise to parliament.

May has vowed to end free movement of people from Europe, saying that this was one of the main

reasons that Britons voted to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum.

Immigration levels have already fallen since the referendum.

Net migration to Britain was around 280,000 last year, a decrease from levels of more than

300,000 in 2014 and 2015.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said visas would be introduced for EU nationals arriving to live in Britain after Brexit. The new system will be based on skills, not nationality, putting EU and non-EU citizens on the same footing. —