UK to favour skilled migration, no EU preference after Brexit - reports

Staff reporter(wp/reuters):
Prime Minister Theresa May and her ministers have agreed to focus Britain’s post-Brexit migration system on high-skilled migrants and will not offer preference to European Union workers, newspapers said.

In a nod to the concerns of businesses, the plan backed by May’s cabinet on Monday would also allow some access for low-skilled foreign workers, the newspapers said.

Last week, official advisers recommended prioritising high-skilled migrant workers coming to Britain after Brexit, alarming companies in low-paid sectors. They also said there should be no preferential treatment for workers from the EU.

The Financial Times said that while ministers backed the advisers’ proposals, the idea of giving no preferential treatment to EU workers could change if Britain agrees a trade deal with the bloc.

“That would mean a better deal on migration, but the same offer would be available if we struck trade deals with other countries around the world,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

With little more than six months to go before Britain leaves the EU, London and Brussels remain at loggerheads on what their future relationship will look like, and May has insisted on new controls for migrant workers from the bloc.

Spokesmen for May’s office and for Britain’s interior ministry declined to comment on the reports.

Earlier, May’s office said the ministers had agreed that Britain would be able to “introduce a new system which works in the best interests of the United Kingdom – including by helping to boost productivity.”

The government’s advisers said in their report that evidence suggested high-skilled migrants had a more positive impact on productivity than lower-skilled workers from abroad.

After she was rebuffed by other EU leaders who told her last week that her Brexit plans would not work, May told her ministers that they must hold their nerve in the impasse, her office said after Monday’s cabinet meeting.

May said her plan was the only viable one on the table and that she remained confident of securing a deal, it said in a statement. “At the same time, the government will continue to sensibly plan for no deal,” the statement quoted her as saying.

May’s government published a latest batch of notices on Monday explaining to businesses and individuals what could happen if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

The lack of an agreement could hamper airlines, stop the movement of goods to the world’s biggest trading bloc and cause headaches for pet owners who want to take their dogs on holiday, documents showed.

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Tourist arrested outside Buckingham Palace with 'mini-taser on his keyring' released by police

Pic:The man was arrested on Sunday afternoon(wp)
Royal correspondent/Crime reporter(wp/es):

A tourist who was arrested outside Buckingham Palace with a mini-taser on a keyring has been released by police.

Scotland Yard said officers were satisfied that the possession of the device was a “genuine error” on the 38-year-old’s part, and “posed no threat”.

The man, a visitor to London from the Netherlands, was released without further action by police on Sunday evening.

Police said the man had been detained at the tourist hotspot in central London on “suspicion of possessing a firearm” at about 12.45pm on Sunday.

The man had been stopped by security staff.

In a statement, police said: “Officers were satisfied that his possession of the device - which was low-powered and part of a keyring – was a genuine error on his part, and that he posed no threat.

“The man was released without further action on Sunday evening.

“Officers are reminding visitors to the United Kingdom to ensure that any items that they are carrying comply with legislation in the UK.

“This includes small knives and personal Taser-type devices, both of which may be considered offensive weapons or in breach of strict UK firearms laws.”
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Labour preparing to vote down Theresa May's EU withdrawal deal, says Sir Keir Starmer

Pic:Sir Keir Starmer will say his party is preparing to vote down the Prime Minister's Brexit bill (wp)
Political reporter(wp/es):

The Labour Party is preparing to vote down Theresa May’s EU withdrawal deal in Parliament, according to shadow Brexitsecretary Sir Keir Starmer.

During his upcoming speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Sir Keir Starmer will warn that Tory “division, chaos and failure” over Brexit is putting the country’s future prosperity at risk.

The move will leave the Prime Minister brutally exposed to a rebellion by Tory backbenchers with fewer than a dozen able to fracture her fragile control of the Commons in the upcoming vote.

He will say: “The party that once promised to fix the roof while the sun was shining now seems intent on burning the whole house down.”

His warning comes as Labour delegates prepare to vote on a compromise motion to keep the option of a second EU referendum "on the table".

Campaigners for a so-called People's Vote - who staged a march in Liverpool on the conference's opening day - have welcomed the motion, which states that if Labour cannot force an early general election it will "support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote".

But they voiced concern after shadow chancellor John McDonnell indicated that the leadership envisage any vote would be on the terms of a Brexit deal, with no option to remain in the EU.

With a Commons vote expected in the next few months, Sir Keir Starmer is set to say that Labour will oppose any deal which fails the party's six tests, including delivering the "exact same benefits" of single market and customs union membership.

While stopping short of an absolute commitment to vote down Mrs May's plans, he will tell delegates that it is highly unlikely any deal based on her Chequers blueprint could meet Labour's tests.

And he will pledge not to back a "blind Brexit", under which MPs would be asked to approve the £40 billion withdrawal agreement without being given a clear outline of future relations with Europe.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to say: "Just when we need a strong government, what do we see from the Tories? Division, chaos and failure.

"No credible plan for Brexit. No solution to prevent a hard border in Ireland. And no majority in Parliament for the Chequers proposals.

"A Tory civil war that has gone on for years now threatens our future prosperity."

And he will issue a message to Mrs May: "If your party wants to tear itself apart, that's fine, but you're not taking our country with you."

Setting out Labour's approach to the upcoming Commons vote, Sir Keir Starmer said: "If Theresa May brings back a deal that fails our tests - and that looks increasingly likely - Labour will vote against it. No ifs, no buts.

"And if the Prime Minister thinks we'll wave through a vague deal asking us to jump blindfolded into the unknown she can think again.

"You can't meet Labour's tests by failing to provide answers. We will vote down a blind Brexit.

"Let me be clear: this isn't about frustrating the process. It's about stopping a destructive Tory Brexit. It's about fighting for our values. And about fighting for our country."

Sir Keir Starmer released an analysis of the Brexit blueprint agreed by the Cabinet at Mrs May's country residence, which he said showed it failed to pass Labour's six tests.

The tests demand: a "strong and collaborative" future relationship with the EU; the "exact same benefits" as single market and customs union membership; fair management of migration; defence of rights and protections; protection for national security; and delivering for all regions and nations of the UK.

Brexit minister Robin Walker said: "Labour seem determined to take us all back to square one by rejecting a deal out of hand then trying to delay Brexit and re-run the referendum.

"Labour promised to respect the referendum result, but are just playing political games and trying to frustrate it.

"This Conservative government is negotiating the right deal for the UK, one that promotes jobs and protects security and the precious Union between the four nations of the UK."

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