EU nationals should be subject to the same rules as migrants from the rest of the world after free movement ceases to apply in the UK post-Brexit, the Cabinet has reportedly agreed.
The agreement in principle came following the recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which published a Government-commissioned report last week.
At a Cabinet meeting on Monday, ministers reportedly backed a system which would be based on skills rather than nationality following a presentation by MAC chairman Professor Alan Manning.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Cabinet was told by Professor Manning that the MAC was recommending that, in the post-Brexit immigration system, EEA and non-EEA nationals should be part of one universal system.
“The Cabinet agreed that, once free movement is brought to an end, the Government will be able to introduce a new system which works in the best interests of the UK – including by helping to boost productivity.”
The MAC review published last week recommended ministers scrap an annual cap of 20,700 on the number of visas available under the Tier 2 skilled work scheme, and open up the route to “medium-skilled” jobs.
But in a finding it acknowledged would attract opposition from some sectors, the MAC concluded that there was no need for a specific migration route for low-skilled work, with the possible exception of a seasonal agricultural scheme.
Throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect. The UK expects the same. A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it. pic.twitter.com/REqUEbMPuG
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) September 21, 2018
It said this would not mean there is no supply of low-skilled migrant workers, stating that most of the existing stock would remain and there would likely be a continued flow through family migration or the existing youth mobility scheme.
Yesterday’s Cabinet meeting also saw Theresa May tell ministers to hold their nerve as Brexit negotiations hit a difficult stage in the wake of the rejection of her plans by EU leaders at Salzburg.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer suggested that preferential treatment for EU migrants could form part of the negotiations with Brussels.
He told the BBC: “At this stage of the negotiations, we need to be careful to ensure that if we want a close economic relationship with the EU, that may include discussions about the rules around EU nationals.”
