Theresa May promises to let three million EU citizens STAY in UK after Brexit – with full access to the NHS and pensions
But those who arrived after Article 50 was triggered may not get same deal
Theresa May last night unveiled a “generous” offer to allow at least three million EU citizens living in the UK to stay for life – with full access to the NHS and pensions.
But she warned EU leaders those who arrived after Article 50 was triggered in March will only get the same offer if European judges are stopped from meddling in UK affairs.
Addressing leaders at the EU Council, she signalled the extent of Britain’s generosity relied on Brussels conceding that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will have no jurisdiction in the UK after Brexit.
The PM told EU leaders she was considering setting the cut-off date for residency rights as the day Britain triggered Article 50 and the formal divorce process – in March 2017.
Any EU national who has arrived after that date would have to apply for a work permit to remain and risked being turned down.
Or the PM said she may choose "Brexit Day" in March 2019 – which would allow any EU national arriving one day before Brexit the chance to remain for life.
This could trigger a fresh wave of hundreds of thousands more migrants to the UK.
Speaking on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the EU Referendum, the PM insisted her offer was “fair and serious”.
And she told reporters as she arrived for day 2 of the summit today that "no one will have to leave" and that "we won't be seeing families split apart".
MOST READ IN POLITICS
She said: “This is an offer aimed at giving as much certainty as possible to those who have settled in the UK, building careers and lives and
contributing so much to our society.”
Aides added she was keen to secure a breakthrough to get divorce talks off to a flying start.
But a senior British official made clear the extent of the offer relied on Brussels budging – and allowing UK courts to rule.
He said: “We have been clear on the ECJ that we are taking back control of our own courts.”
The EU’s negotiators have demanded the ECJ has oversight over EU citizens living in the UK once we leave for decades to come.
But Theresa May has repeatedly said any role for the ECJ after Brexit is a red line.
The PM presented her offer to EU leaders such as Angela Merkel over a working dinner.
She was immediately asked to leave so the other 27 EU leaders could discuss how Brexit negotiations have begun.
The address came after a concerted push by EU leaders for the UK to think again on Brexit.
This is an offer aimed at giving as much certainty as possible to those who have settled in the UK, building careers and lives and
contributing so much to our society
EU Council chief Donald Tusk said ";miracles happen".
And Dutch PM Mark Rutte said he hoped a way could be found to keep Britain in the single market.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the UK's offer on post-Brexit rights of EU citizens "a good start."
There are an estimated 3.2million EU citizens living in the UK.
British officials also reiterated any deal for EU nationals would rely on Brussels giving the same terms to a million British ex-pats living on the Continent.
- European Union leaders last night took a step closer to an EU Army by agreeing closer defence integration. European Council president Donald Tusk said all members of the 28-nation bloc will be invited to join a permanent defence structure. The move came on the eve of the first anniversary of the UK's referendum vote to quit the EU on June 23 2016.