By Ben Kerrigan
Theresa May is embroiled in a fresh battle with EU chiefs over a proposal to give EU citizens moving to the UK during the transition period after Brexit residency rights.
The UK Prime minister who is in China said there had to be a “difference” between people from around the continent coming to the UK whilst it is still a member of the bloc and those who move after it exits.
Reports that the transition period may see EU citizens who arrive in the UK after March 2019 have resident rights has led to May’s vow to oppose any such plan.
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Mrs May has insisted such an “implementation period” will last about two years.
“We are not talking about something that is going to go on and on…We’re leaving the European Union. There is an adjustment period for businesses – and indeed government – for changes that need to be made,” she said.
RESIDENCY
The issue of residency was settled last December after the two sides agreed a deal setting out the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and British expats on the continent.
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All EU nationals who have been in the UK for more than five years will be granted indefinite leave to remain and benefit equally from the UK as British citizens.
EU nationals who have lived in the UK for a shorter period and arrived before Brexit will be able to stay until they reached the five-year threshold.
Downing Street made clear that all EU nationals who arrived after Brexit will have to have their immigration status reviewed following their registration in the system. However, EU chiefs have tried to establish long-term residency rights for EU nationals after the transition phase, something the UK prime minister has vowed to contest.
AGREEMENT
“When we agreed the citizens’ rights deal in December we did so on the basis that people who had come to the UK when we were a member of the EU had set up certain expectations,” she said. The battle between the UK and EU chiefs to have their way is set to continue, but it can be said that EU bosses have long been determined to give the UK a very difficult time in these negotiations, and the past and current developing battles are evidence of this.
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