MEP: We CAN curb migrants and stay in single market

A SENIOR Tory MEP last night claimed that it could be possible for Britain to curb EU immigration while staying inside the single market.

Vicky Ford, chair of the European Parliament’s internal market committee, said in one case a country was allowed to set an ‘upper break’ on migrant numbers without losing economic ties.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France’s President Francois Hollande have insisted that Britain cannot keep full access to the single market and gain restrictions to free movement.

But in an interview with the Guardian, Miss Ford said there were a number of ideas being used or considered in countries inside the EU or European Economic Area that Britain could adopt.

They are said to include migrants only being able to access housing, health and education if they prove they have jobs. Other ideas include allowing Britain to only advertise jobs locally, criminal checks before people arrive, and an upper cap on migrant numbers.

Miss Ford, who backed the Remain side, said: ‘If you look at a country like Liechtenstein, in the EEA, they have access to free movement of goods within the single market but they have an absolute cap on the number of people given residency a year’.

The East of England MEP said it was clear Britain would not retain ‘full’ membership of the single market because of Theresa May’s determination to take control of legislation on borders.

But she added: ‘The idea that you have that mature, close, relationship that she discussed is possible with a new package around migration controls that looks at examples from across Europe.’

‘Examples across Europe’