The Government is in a right state over what its approach to immigration will be in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
But one thing does appear clear: EU freedom of movement will continue beyond March 2019 if the UK ends up with a disorderly divorce.
But one thing does appear clear: EU freedom of movement will continue beyond March 2019 if the UK ends up with a disorderly divorce.
The scale of the mess is quite hard to comprehend. In simple terms: The key players within the UK Government do not appear to be singing from the same hymn sheet.
In fact, it doesn't look like there is a hymn sheet at all.
In fact, it doesn't look like there is a hymn sheet at all.
On Tuesday, Caroline Nokes, the Immigration Minister, told the Home Affairs Select Committee, that "we will have to put in place provision to turn off free movement as quickly as we possibly can” in the event of no-deal.
But Shona Dunn, second permanent sec at the Home Office, went further: “If [no-deal] were the case, the PM has been very, very clear that she would want free movement turned off at that point in time. So it would be our intention to try and have it done at that point in time."
"At that point in time" = at the point of Brexit.
Ms Dunn acknowledged that getting legislation through Parliament before March 2019 would be tricky but said it would be in place "as soon as possible".
Ms Dunn acknowledged that getting legislation through Parliament before March 2019 would be tricky but said it would be in place "as soon as possible".
Sajid Javid struck a very different tone when he appeared on TV on Wednesday night.
He said the UK needed to be "practical" and that "of course there will need to be some kind of sensible transition period".
So effectively a period after no-deal when free movement continued.
He said the UK needed to be "practical" and that "of course there will need to be some kind of sensible transition period".
So effectively a period after no-deal when free movement continued.
How long would such a transition period be?
The Home Secretary didn't say: “We are going to set it out in a few weeks time, we are going to set it out in due course and you will see.”
The Home Secretary didn't say: “We are going to set it out in a few weeks time, we are going to set it out in due course and you will see.”
Downing Street further muddied the waters on Thursday.
Was the Home Sec correct to suggest free movement would continue for a period in the event of no-deal?
N10: "Planning for a no deal outcome is ongoing... we will be able to set out the Govt’s position in due course.”
Was the Home Sec correct to suggest free movement would continue for a period in the event of no-deal?
N10: "Planning for a no deal outcome is ongoing... we will be able to set out the Govt’s position in due course.”
So Downing Street, asked repeatedly about the freedom of movement/no-deal issue, repeatedly just says that planning is ongoing.
Which obviously raises lots of questions.
Which obviously raises lots of questions.
Obviously all of this could be redundant if a Brexit deal is done.
But the fact is March 2019 is now less than 5 months away and you would think the Govt would/should now be able to outline with some clarity/confidence what its position on such a key subject actually is.
But the fact is March 2019 is now less than 5 months away and you would think the Govt would/should now be able to outline with some clarity/confidence what its position on such a key subject actually is.
So in short:
-We don't know with any certainty what will happen to EU immigration in the event of a no deal
-It looks like freedom of movement will continue in some form
-But we have no idea how long for and what it will actually look like
-We don't know with any certainty what will happen to EU immigration in the event of a no deal
-It looks like freedom of movement will continue in some form
-But we have no idea how long for and what it will actually look like
Full take on the Government's no-deal freedom of movement confusion here:
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…
