Beyond free movement? Six possible futures for the UK’s EU migration policy

The Brexit negotiations for the UK to leave the EU after the referendum in June 2016 will likely centre on the trade-off between access to the single market and controlling EU migration. Achieving a compromise – by putting some limits on free movement and some limits on single market access – will be difficult, but nevertheless it will be a key priority for the UK in the negotiations.

This new briefing paper, part of IPPR's new 'Progressive Brexit' programme of work, identifies and explores the six main options on free movement that the UK government could pursue.

+ Option 1: ‘EU freedom of movement’
+ Option 2: ‘Freedom of movement of workers’
+ Option 3: ‘EU freedom of movement with an emergency brake’
+ Option 4: Partial labour market restrictions for EU migrants
+ Option 5: Comprehensive labour market restrictions on low-skilled EU migrants
+ Option 6: Visa restrictions on EU migrants

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Unlocking the EU free movement debate http://www.europeansources.info/record/unlocking-the-eu-free-movement-debate/

ESO: Background information: New Inquiry to examine how Government can protect rights of EU citizens in UK http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-inquiry-to-examine-how-government-can-protect-rights-of-eu-citizens-in-uk/

ESO: Background information: How reliant is Britain on EU migrant workers? http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-reliant-is-britain-on-eu-migrant-workers/

Japan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statement, September 2016: Japan’s Message to the United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000185466.pdf

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