Post-Brexit uncertainty for EU arrivals from 1 November

20 August 2019

The UK government has said EU free movement rules will end immediately if there is a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. In an article by Recruiter Sophie Barrett-Brown discusses the uncertainty surrounding the government’s intention for EU arrivals from 1 November 2019.

“Clearly the new immigration system cannot be designed and implemented by 1 November – not least as Mr Johnson pledged in his first few days in office that he will first commission the Migration Advisory Committee to review and report on introducing an Australian-style points-based system to replace the UK’s current system, rather than following the proposals set out in the 2018 white paper. There is much work to do.

“Some form of interim measure is therefore essential. Yet the implementation of the ETLR now appears to be in question, with the new government stating in a press release that ‘details of other changes immediately after 31 October and improvements to the previous government’s plans for a new immigration system are being developed’ and that it will ‘set out its plans shortly’.

“With barely 70 days to go until exit, ‘shortly’ can scarcely come soon enough for British business seeking to plan for the future.”

To read the full Recruiter article click here.

Sophie Barrett-Brown


Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice


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