MPs call for greater clarity over government’s Brexit immigration policy
MPs have called on home secretary Priti Patel to clarify the government’s no-deal Brexit immigration policy amid confusion over the status of EU residents after the Halloween deadline.
In a letter dated 25 September, Patel stated that much of the freedom of movement framework will remain in place after 31 October – the current Brexit deadline – until parliament passes primary legislation to repeal it.
Read more: Home secretary orders review which could bring Australian immigration system to Britain
But in a response published today, home affairs committee chair Yvette Cooper said that this contradicted the government’s previous insistence that free movement would end on Halloween.
The home secretary also said that citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA) will face “tougher rules on criminality and conduct” at the border and when crimes are committed in the UK.
However, she added that Border Force officials would not have access to key EU criminal databases, prompting Cooper to question whether this would actually lead to fewer criminality checks.
The committee chair also slammed a “lack of clarity” over what evidence EU residents will have to provide after 31 October to be granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
“It is very important that the government gives accurate information,” Cooper wrote.
It comes a day after Patel vowed to end the freedom movement of people “once and for all”.
Read more: EU migration to UK falls to lowest in six years
In a fiery speech at the Conservative party conference, during which she compared herself to Margaret Thatcher, the home secretary pledged to introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system.
Cooper has given Patel until 7 October to respond to her questions about the UK’s future immigration policy.
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