Leaked document reveals UK Brexit plan to deter EU immigrants

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Series Details 05.09.17
Publication Date 05/09/2017
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Background
The United Kingdom Home Secretary commissioned on the 27 July 2017 the Migration Advisory Committee to examine the role EU nationals played in the UK economy and society.

As part of the major study, the government’s independent advisers on migration would also look at how the UK’s immigration system should be aligned with a modern industrial strategy.

The Home Office would ask the MAC to focus the study on patterns of EU and EEA (European Economic Area) migration, considering regional distribution; skill levels; industry sectors and the role of the self-employed, part-time, agency, temporary and seasonal workers.

In addition to the MAC commission, there would be an extensive cross-government programme of engagement over the coming months with stakeholders from a number of sectors, including business, industry, trades unions and educational institutions.

Some commentators had wondered why it was only in July 2017 - over one year following the EU referendum in the UK - that the government decided to commission a study on such a key topic.

Nevertheless, it seemed as if before this study would be published the government intended to publish a policy document on future immigration policy.The Guardian reported on the 5 September 2017 on a leaked draft Home Office paper for a new immigration system when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, which suggested a restrictive policy towards allowing people from other EU countries, in particular low-skilled people, from seeking work in the UK in the future.

One sentence in the document said 'We are clear that, wherever possible, UK employers should look to meet their labour needs from resident labour'.

The Home Office refused to comment on the leaked document and it was stressed that the document was only a draft version of a paper which was likely to be formally published later in the autumn of 2017 by the government.

However, commentators saw it as a significant pointer towards the way the UK government was heading.

Tim Thomas, Director of Employment & Skills at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said 'The proposals represent a mixed bag. On the highly skilled side, the system described is one we can work with, after some changes. But, we would have grave concerns that at lower skill levels accessing EU workers will be on a completely different basis going forward'.

Neil Carberry, CBI Managing Director for People and Infrastructure, said: 'An open approach to our closest trading partners is vital for business, as it attracts investment to the UK. And, with employment high, it also helps keep our economy moving by addressing key skill and labour shortages'.

Frances O'Grady, General Secretary of the TUC said of the leaked plans 'They would do nothing to tackle falling living standards and insecure jobs. These plans would create an underground economy, encouraging bad bosses to exploit migrants and undercut decent employers offering good jobs. The government must crack down on bad jobs and make sure work is fairer for everyone'.

Source Link https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/leaked-document-reveals-uk-brexit-plan-to-deter-eu-immigrants
Related Links
Politico, 05.09.17: UK plans to cut back on EU migrants post Brexit: report http://www.politico.eu/article/uk-eu-migrants-brexit-plans-to-cut-back-on-post-brexit-report/
United Kingdom: Home Office, July 2017: Home Secretary commissions major study on EU workers http://www.europeansources.info/record/home-secretary-commissions-major-study-on-eu-workers/
ESO: Background information: If the UK wants to cut immigration, it must change its model of capitalism (EuroppBlog, August 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/if-the-uk-wants-to-cut-immigration-it-must-change-its-model-of-capitalism/
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: Is EU talent being chased away from the UK by Brexit? (EuroppBlog, September 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/is-eu-talent-being-chased-away-from-the-uk-by-brexit/
The Guardian, 05.09.17: [Analysis]: Home Office document exposes heart of Theresa May’s Brexit https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/05/home-office-document-exposes-heart-of-theresa-mays-brexit
EUObserver, 06.09.17: Britain to fence off EU workers, draft says https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/138900
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BBC News, 05.09.17: Brexit: Leaked document suggests UK plan to curb EU migration http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41168091
Conservative Home, 06.09.17: EU migration. Rudd must back May up fully in the drive to reduce it. https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/09/eu-migration-rudd-must-back-may-up-in-the-drive-to-reduce-it.html
The Guardian, 11.09.17: Europeans need not apply: evidence mounts of discrimination in UK https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/11/no-europeans-need-apply-growing-evidence-discrimination-uk-brexit
BBC News, 06.09.17: [Analysis]: Why immigration debate is far from over http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41178443
CBI: News, 06.09.17: Our response to prospective plans for the UK's future migration system http://www.cbi.org.uk/news/our-response-to-prospective-plans-for-the-uk-s-future-migration-system/
EEF: News, 06.09.17: Grave concerns for industry on new migration plans https://www.eef.org.uk/about-eef/media-news-and-insights/media-releases/2017/sep/grave-concerns-for-industry-on-new-migration-plans
TUC: News, 05.09.17: Leaked policy would do nothing for working people, says TUC https://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial-issues/international-issues/migration/europe/leaked-policy-would-do-nothing-working
Blog: UK in a Changing Europe, 06.09.17: ‘British workers first’ policies may put the British economy last http://ukandeu.ac.uk/british-workers-first-policies-may-put-the-british-economy-last/
The Guardian, 06.09.17: EU commentators excoriate leaked Home Office Brexit plans https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/06/eu-journalists-leaked-home-office-brexit-plans
The Guardian, 06.09.17: EU citizens in disbelief over UK's leaked Brexit proposals https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/06/eu-citizens-in-disbelief-over-uks-leaked-brexit-proposals
The Conversation, 06.09.17: Home Office leak: an expert reviews the proposed Brexit immigration system https://theconversation.com/home-office-leak-an-expert-reviews-the-proposed-brexit-immigration-system-83584
The Conversation, 12.09.17: What new barriers can EU citizens expect in their daily lives after Brexit? https://theconversation.com/what-new-barriers-can-eu-citizens-expect-in-their-daily-lives-after-brexit-83586
Euro|Topics: Debates, September 2017: Brexit: how many immigrants will London agree to? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/185681/brexit-how-many-immigrants-will-london-agree-to
Blog: EU Law Analysis, 20.10.17: The Irony of Brexit for Immigration Control http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/the-irony-of-brexit-for-immigration.html

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