A promise delivered

Anew migration policy for Britain after Brexit has been a long time coming but has finally taken shape. Theresa May, who as home secretary failed to bring the numbers down to the Government’s target below 100,000 net annually, now believes this can be done once free movement from the EU has ended.

The principal vehicle for doing so will be to bear down on low-skilled workers of the sort who have flooded in predominantly from Eastern Europe and have fuelled a huge growth in service industries, especially in the food and drink sector.

Understandably, perhaps, those who have set up many of these businesses are now anxious that, without the easy availability of EU labour, they will be forced to shut down. But they should not be surprised and should look for employees closer to home. Ending free movement has been a central aim of the Prime Minister since she took office, interpreting the vote to leave the EU as principally motivated by concerns over immigration.

The Institute of Directors has urged the Government to prioritise a reciprocal preferential agreement with the EU on movement of people, something that may yet be included in the final stages of the negotiations. Without such an understanding, the opportunities for British people to work in Europe will also be restricted.

But the important point is that this will be in UK control. Moreover, this is not an anti-immigration policy. As Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary and a second-generation immigrant, told the Tory conference, immigration has brought great benefits. This is about being able to decide for ourselves who is to come here. Mrs May promised control of the borders. We are seeing it delivered.