By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 27 Feb 2017 • 14:34
Amber Rudd with German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière
SOME but not all mainstream newspapers or TV channels in the UK are reporting that Prime Minister Theresa May intends to use the trigger date for Article 50 to effectively reduce rights of residency in the UK for EU nationals.
The suggestion is that any EU national who was living in the UK prior to that date would retain the right to live and work in the UK – provided that the same rights apply to UK nationals in EU States – whilst any who arrive after would not.
This is not in accord with the expectations of the European Union as its lawyers and politicians believe that no change can or should be implemented until Britain has actually left the Union.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd who was interviewed on ITV, said that although no final decision has been made “What I can confirm is we will be ending freedom of movement as we know it. Otherwise we’re looking at all sorts of different alternatives.”
It would appear that the government is worried that the next two years could see an influx of migrants, in particular from Bulgaria and Romania if there is to be a two year time scale and therefore tightening up now could be a very attractive option for Britain.
One possibility being floated is that EU nationals will be allowed to enter the UK after Article 50 is triggered but they would be issued medium term work permits and would not be allowed the automatic right to claim benefits of any sort.
At the moment, speculation and supposition are rife, but the concept of introducing restrictions of some type to newcomers does have a ring of truth about it, although the actual terms are certainly far from certain.
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Why the date we trigger Article 50 which Article specifically relates to the “settlement” of mutual financial obligations?
Surely the effective date for cessation of automatic “entitlements” bestowed upon EU residents legally living or working in UK ceased when the result of the Referendum was declared at which time notice of intent was given to all the world.
This defeats those seeking to exploit the intervening period.
Thank you John for bringing this news to the attention of the EWN readership so quickly. As always, you have written the article with great care and attention to detail, trying to sift through the claims and counter claims and get to the truth. Not an easy task these days.
I’ve been following the developments myself. I watched Amber Rudd with great concern on Robert Peston’s programme onÃÂ Sunday morning. If the apparent intentions of the UK government turn out to be true then we could be in deep trouble in a matter of weeks. Just imagine the reaction of EU governments like Spain’s if their citizens are banned so soon from settling in the UK or restricted in terms of health care and welfare. While this may only apply to newcomers, at least initially, it could be regarded as provocation leading to disproportionate retaliation.
Tit for tat might not even begin to describe the possible outcome.
and then again…. they may not!
Quote JS: ‘EU nationals may lose certain rights in UK as soon as Article 50 is triggered’
Quote JS: ‘At the moment, speculation and supposition are rife, but the concept of introducing restrictions of some type to newcomers does have a ring of truth about it, although the actual terms are certainly far from certain’
Great journalism John! @@
Sounds like a sensible approach to a major problem, especially as a lot of UK people living in Europe never had a vote in this major change to their lives. The next step would be to ensure that all UK pensioners living in Europe continue to receive their full pension and increments in perpetuity. It would also be a good idea to extend the incremental pensions to all those living in other countries [many Commonwealth] that are currently denied increases in their pensions.
Saya Sendiri was correct in saying that many UK nationals living in the EU did not have the right to vote in the referendum (was this democratic I ask). The May government seem to have totally forgotten us “ex-pats” who are really living in limbo at this moment with respect to how we are to live and work. I have to admit, I like the idea, but it seems just an idea, that UK citizens in the EU could be offered a form of EU passport but this seems a distant solution to the problem. I think it is time for UK ex-pats to form an association to protect what rights we will have left by the time Brexit has happened. With regards to the UK, why does this nation screw everything up for everybody in every way possible.
Time for us ex pats to have our cases packed and tickets bought for the refugee boats !
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