The Immigration Bill will be introduced to the House of Commons
today (Thursday 5 March) ending the European Union’s rules on
free movement.
It represents an important milestone in paving the way for the
new UK points-based immigration system. It will be introduced by
the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, , and marks an historic moment
in the country’s history, following the UK’s departure from the
EU on 31 January 2020.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration said:
Today we’ve taken the momentous first step to end free movement
and take back control of our borders, delivering on the
people’s priorities.
Our firmer and fairer points-based immigration system will
attract the brightest and best from around the globe,
prioritising those who come to Britain based on the skills they
have to offer, not on the passport they hold.
The bill will begin its passage in the House of Commons. Once
passed, it will give the UK full control over who comes to the
country. By ending free movement, and bringing EU citizens under
UK immigration controls, the bill will enable the newly announced
UK points-based system to operate from 1 January 2021. This will
deliver a firmer and fairer immigration system for the whole of
the UK.
Details of the new points-based immigration system
were announced by the Home
Secretary in February, giving top priority to those with
the highest skills and the greatest talents, including
scientists, engineers and academics. Overall levels of migration
will be reduced, and the government will end a reliance on
low-paid labour from abroad.
Those who want to come to the UK and make a contribution to our
economy and society will benefit from a more flexible,
streamlined, and simplified system. The operation of the UK
border will be revolutionised, and security tightened to stop
serious criminals entering the country.
Further information on the points-based system will be detailed
in the Immigration Rules published later in the year.
The bill will further protect the long-held rights of Irish
citizens, a unique status in place since the 1920s. It makes it
clear Irish citizens will continue to freely enter and reside in
the UK without requiring permission to do so after free movement
ends.
The Immigration Bill also allows the government to make changes
to social security arrangements. This will help to ensure people
making the UK their home after 1 January 2021 pay into the tax
system for a reasonable period of time before they can access the
benefit system.
EU citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa
to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months. However,
the use of EEA national identity cards will be phased out for
travel to the UK, with the Home Office setting out plans in due
course.
The government has committed to guaranteeing the rights of EEA
citizens and their family members who are resident in the UK by
the end of the transition period (31 December 2020).
Those EU citizens resident in the UK by this time can still apply
to settle in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme until June
2021.
