UK unveils immigration clampdown after Brexit

Britain publishes proposals for an EU immigration crackdown after Brexit yesterday as business groups warn the economy is not ready for Britain to crash out of the European Union without a divorce agreement in place.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said visas would be introduced for EU nationals arriving after Britain leaves the bloc and the new system would be based on skills, not nationality, putting EU and non-EU citizens on the same footing. "It will be a system that will bring net migration down to more sustainable levels," he told BBC radio, although he said there was "no specific target" for the reduction.

He said he hoped the new measures would put more pressure on employers "to look at the domestic workforce first". Javid did not commit to an annual salary threshold for EU immigrants -- a highly contested proposal -- but said it could be "£30,000 (33,000 euros, $38,000) or thereabouts".

He said the threshold could be lowered to encourage foreign students to stay and work in the UK and for certain parts of the economy in which a labour shortage could be proven.

Many employers, including the National Health Service, have warned that £30,000 is too high and will severely limit their ability to hire EU nationals such as nurses.

The immigration proposals are aimed at winning over Brexit hardliners who have resisted voting in favour of the deal that Prime Minister Theresa May has struck with EU leaders.

 

UK unveils immigration clampdown after Brexit

Britain publishes proposals for an EU immigration crackdown after Brexit yesterday as business groups warn the economy is not ready for Britain to crash out of the European Union without a divorce agreement in place. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said visas would be introduced for EU nationals arriving after Britain leaves the bloc and the new system would be based on skills, not nationality, putting EU and non-EU citizens on the same footing. It will be a system that will bring net migration down to more sustainable levels, he told BBC radio, although he said there was no specific target for the reduction. He said he hoped the new measures would put more pressure on employers to look at the domestic workforce first. Javid did not commit to an annual salary threshold for EU immigrants -- a highly contested proposal -- but said it could be 30,000 (33,000 euros, $38,000) or thereabouts. He said the threshold could be lowered to encourage foreign students to stay and work in the UK and for certain parts of the economy in which a labour shortage could be proven. Many employers, including the National Health Service, have warned that 30,000 is too high and will severely limit their ability to hire EU nationals such as nurses. The immigration proposals are aimed at winning over Brexit hardliners who have resisted voting in favour of the deal that Prime Minister Theresa May has struck with EU leaders.