UK business body concerned over delay on Brexit immigration plan

A major UK business lobby group has criticised the government for shelving release of its plans for a post-Brexit immigration system until after Britain leaves the EU.

The influential Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the decision to delay publication of the immigration white paper would result in businesses being "hugely frustrated".

The plan was originally scheduled to be published last summer and will now not see the light of day until after a transition deal is agreed with the EU.

“From tech start-ups to care homes, not knowing what staff you will be able to access will deter investment," said CBI deputy director general Josh Hardie.

“Firms need time to plan for change and that is why many will be deeply disappointed by any delays to the White Paper. It is perfectly possible to be clear on people’s rights to work in the UK, for the transition period at least."

“The government should commit now that people’s rights to work won’t change over the first two years from our date of departure from the EU.”

Reports suggested the UK's proposals for the terms on which new EU migrants can come to Britain after its departure from the bloc in 2019 would be set out in a Bill to be published after the current round of talks are completed.

The EU agreed last week that those migrants be granted free movement rights and a special status to all arriving before the final day of the transition at the end of 2020.

The position on immigration was reportedly inserted after concerns from Poland and other eastern European states, sources of large numbers of immigrants to the UK, over Britain imposing new entry rules to EU nationals during the transition.

“In particular, the provisions of the citizens’ rights part of the withdrawal agreement should apply as from the end of the transition period,” the paper states.

In effect it would grant indefinite leave to remain to EU citizens arriving after Brexit but before the end of 2020.