Plans to allow 3m EU workers to stay in UK post Brexit

Subject to further negotiation, EU nationals resident in the UK for more than five years will be offered residency. However, Theresa May said the offer was dependent on EU states guaranteeing Britons the same rights after Brexit.

For EU nationals with a residency period shorter than five years, May said her Government would set new criteria to create a ‘settled EU status’, as well as develop other policies to ease concerns for EU nationals working in the UK.

Insightful and pragmatic step ​

Although the full details are yet to emerge, the overall nature of the announcement was welcomed by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

Chief executive Kate Nicholls said the move showed the Government has recognised the value of EU workers to the UK economy, and she feels that a “sensible solution will prevail”.

“This has the makings of an insightful and pragmatic step to safeguard the rights of EU workers’ and, in turn, economic growth,” she said.

“The eating and drinking out sector relies on migrant workers, particularly those from the EU, and the uncertainty that has surrounded the security of their status has been unhelpful.”

Questions remain​

According to Nicholls a KPMG report published in March found that without EU workers, hospitality would face a recruitment shortfall of around 60,000 workers per year. That is without taking into account projected employment growth of 200,000.

“The plans outlined by Theresa May – albeit with many questions remaining – represent a positive signal for hospitality businesses and workers alike,” Nicholls added.

“For a sector that is such a driving force and significant contributor to the UK’s wider economy, the benefits of an outcome that balances domestic employment needs with retained rights for EU workers would be wide-reaching.”

Details on issues such as the rights of EU citizen’s relatives abroad and their descendants are not yet known. The BBC​ reported that full details will be unveiled next Monday. 

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive, British Beer & Pub Association, said the move  will "offer reassurance" as EU migration is an "issue of key importance" for the sector.

“We also want to see progress on robust transitional arrangements to run over a number of years, and efforts towards ensuring trade is as free as possible, with frictionless customs arrangements between Britain and the EU,” she said.