Delayed Brexit immigration plans `due in months`

Source: BBC News, 20/04/2018

Delayed Brexit immigration plans `due in months`
20 April 2018 â€` BBC News
Delayed proposals for Britain`s post-Brexit immigration policy will be
published `in the coming months`, Downing Street has said.
The immigration bill would establish new rules for EU migrants to the
UK after free movement ends.
An official policy document had been expected last autumn and the Times
reports a `cabinet row` over delays.
The PM`s spokesman said ministers were `confident` the new system would
be ready `for when we leave the EU`.
The immigration bill was in last year`s Queen`s Speech - it would
enable the government to end the free movement of EU nationals into the
UK but ministers said it would allow the country to attract `the
brightest and the best`.
Last October, then immigration minister Brandon Lewis said a White
Paper would be published in autumn 2017 with the bill being brought
forward `in the New Year`.
In February, the home affairs committee noted there was
still `considerable uncertainty about when the White Paper will be
published` and said the delays had caused `anxiety for EU citizens in
the UK, uncertainty for UK businesses and concern in Parliament`.
The Times reported on Friday that Brexit-supporting ministers were
putting pressure on Home Secretary Amber Rudd to speed up the bill,
amid concerns ministers want to use preferential access for EU workers
as a bargaining chip with Brussels in Brexit talks.
Asked about the report, the prime minister`s spokesman said: `We`re
considering a range of options for the future immigration system which
will be based on the evidence.
`We will set out initial plans and publish a White Paper in the coming
months with a bill to follow.`
Ms Rudd told the home affairs committee in March that the bill would be
published `early next year` to establish new rules for 2021 - arguing
that the agreement reached with the EU on citizens` rights had `to a
certain extent` had removed the urgency.
The Home Office said the transition period agreement meant that the
immigration bill `will not be needed until after this period ends in
December 2020. The bills will be brought forward when Parliamentary
time allows`.