Mayor of London backs qualified freedom of movement of people post-Brexit

• Sadiq puts forward positive case for immigration

• Mayor warns Government’s approach to immigration is ‘one of the most severe and selfish mistakes in decades’

• Successive administrations accused of “ducking” issue of immigration
  
  

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will today argue that qualified freedom of movement of people is the best way to protect economic prosperity in London and the UK in the aftermath of Brexit.

Putting forward the positive case for immigration, Sadiq will warn that the Government’s strategy to look tough on immigration during the Brexit negotiations – at the risk of economic stability - is ‘one of the most severe, irresponsible and selfish mistakes by any political party in decades’.

Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) Autumn Lunch in London, the Mayor will also accuse successive Governments of ‘ducking’ the issue of immigration.

He will say that for London and the rest of the country to prosper, it’s vital that we continue to have barrier-free access to the dynamic European workforce.

He will also say that it is possible to address concerns in parts of the country about the pace of immigration, and the impact this has had on communities, without losing membership of the Single Market and keeping our access to European talent.    

Since the General Election, the Mayor has argued for continuation of Single Market membership beyond the point that the UK leaves the EU.

Sadiq’s speech coincides with the publication today of his immigration plan for London and the UK – a blueprint for what the Government should be doing.

He is clear that Britain needs a ‘robust managed immigration system and secure borders’, something which ‘goes without saying’.

The Mayor’s migration plan calls upon the Government to:

• ·         Recognise the benefits that immigration and freedom of movement have brought, and can continue to bring to our economy and society.  

• ·         Ensure the continuation of freedom of movement of people and points out that there is scope for the Government, if it chose, to seek to qualify freedom of movement under existing treaties.

• ·         Prioritise jobs, growth and future prosperity over politically driven policies to reduce immigration.

• ·         Provide a cast iron guarantee that EU nationals in the UK are welcome to stay.

• ·         Pursue a transitional arrangement with the EU which maintains the status quo, and seek to negotiate a long-term agreement based on remaining part of the Single Market.

• ·         Introduce a Tier 1, post-study work policy giving international students the chance to work after graduation for 12-24 months.
  
  
• ·         Remove international students from the annual net migration target as a matter of urgency and adopt a pro-active approach to bringing global talent to the UK by reforming the current non-EU visa system.

The Mayor’s migration plan also states that if the Government is unable to ensure a flexible national migration approach – one that responds to demand and meets skills gaps – then it should look at options for allowing London and other regions to deliver this.

On the Government’s approach to migration and access to talent, Sadiq Khan is expected to tell the CBI:

“The Government’s long-term position on access to talent remains vague.

“And that’s putting it kindly. 

“But what’s clear is that one of the Government’s primary motivations is to come out the other end looking ‘tough on immigration’.  

“This approach risks putting short-term politics ahead of our economic stability. 

“Something that would not only lead to enormous consequences for the livelihoods of millions of people. 

“But would go down as one of the most severe, irresponsible and selfish mistakes by any political party in decades.”

On the positive case for qualified freedom of movement of people, Sadiq Khan is expected to say:

“It’s time for us to stand up and make the case for the freedom of movement of people and the benefits it has brought to our economy…

“Of course, we need a robust, managed immigration system and secure borders. This goes without saying.

“But we also need a system that makes it easier – not harder – to bring in the people from around the world who can help grow our prosperity and create more wealth, jobs and opportunities…

“Immigration brings new skills and innovation to our shores.

“But despite this……..it has become an issue too many of our leaders have ducked.

“While we can criticise this Government for its damaging stance - we must also recognise the failure of successive governments, politicians and others.    

“A systemic failure in mainstream British politics across the board.  

“Let’s be honest:

“Too many politicians - and I have to say some business leaders too - have been scared of saying how they really feel – based on their experience and expertise.   

“The consequence is that we’ve failed to explain why economic immigration and the freedom of movement across the EU has been a good thing for our country.  

“Not only economically, but culturally and socially too.

“I’m not embarrassed to make this case.”

On visas, Sadiq is expected to say:

“The Government’s non-EU visa system is no longer fit for purpose. The process is slow and laborious. 

“The Government likes to say that Brexit is an opportunity to build new relationships with the rest of the world.

“But why does this need to wait until after Brexit? 

“A clear signal of our ambition would be to begin reforming the visa system now.”

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said: “Keeping London ahead of our global competitors is a top priority for the capital’s businesses. Access – and crucially, openness – to a wide range of talent from across the globe is key to the city’s success, and firms don’t want that to change any time soon.

“Businesses urgently need a pragmatic and determined approach from the EU and the UK in Brexit negotiations to lock in investment decisions that will affect jobs and growth for years to come. A quick transition agreement will allow us to start shaping our future trade relationship with the EU.”

Julia Onslow-Cole, Head of Global Immigration, PwC and a member of the Mayor’s Brexit Expert Advisory Panel, said: “Businesses see it as essential that London is able to attract and retain a diverse and global workforce. This underpins the success of the City, the benefits are felt across the whole of the UK." 

Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London and a member of the Mayor’s Brexit Expert Advisory Panel, said: “The Mayor of London has identified important issues in the debate around migration. London and the UK must remain open to global talent, whether that’s international students, leading researchers or entrepreneurs.

“London is renowned for research excellence: our universities attract inward investment, foster innovation and drive growth. European partnerships have strengthened our global competitiveness – far from being a European ‘club’, it enables international collaborations to address the world’s great challenges.”

Inga Beale, Chief Executive of Lloyds of London and a member of the Mayor’s Business Advisory Board, said: “I welcome the Mayor of London’s intervention. As a city, one of London’s most attractive features to business is its incredible pool of talented people who come here to work from across Europe, and the rest of the world. This openness and flexibility needs to be protected.”

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of business group London First, said: “Migration contributes a huge amount to London’s success, proven to create jobs and growth. But we’re beginning to see the impact of continued uncertainty, with 33,000 more EU citizens leaving the UK over the past year, and this is a big concern for business.

“Government must send a positive signal now, unilaterally guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens already living and working here and responding to the plans already put on the table by business to keep our doors open to the people we need.”

ENDS

Notes

• The Mayor’s Migration blueprint can downloaded as a MS Word document here: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/immigration_a_future_approach.docx.