Theresa May plans to end pro-European migrant policy after Brexit in crunch Cabinet immigration talks

THERESA May will argue for a post-Brexit immigration policy ending preferential treatment for EU migrants at a crunch Cabinet meeting on Monday.

In one of the most important decisions as PM, she is determined to adopt a new system that does not discriminate between EU and non-EU migrants.

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It is one of the main findings from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) study last week, which urged the Government to put a halt to years of cheap EU labour from the bloc.

Mrs May wants Cabinet to rubber-stamp her post-Brexit immigration policy at the meeting.

She has told her closest colleagues that ending EU free movement is one of the issues she is “absolutely determined not to compromise on”, according to James Forsyth’s column in today’s Sun.

However, several senior ministers are expected to oppose the move on Monday.

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Chancellor Philip Hammond and Business Secretary Greg Clark are said to be in favour of putting free movement on the negotiating table with Brussels.

The PM is understood to be prepared to discuss immigration as part of a trade deal — but not free movement.

She wants an immigration system that encourages the best and brightest to come to the UK after Brexit and ensures the country has the workers it needs.

But last night Cabinet ministers had still not seen relevant papers for the looming meeting — a sign Mrs May fears losing the argument.

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Last week the MAC delivered a definitive verdict on years of unlimited EU immigration.

It found there was no clear benefit to the UK from low-skilled EU workers, and free movement rules meant immigration was not always in the Britain’s interest.

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But overall, EU incomers pay more tax than they receive in benefits, it said.

The independent experts recommended the UK ends all preferential treatment for EU migrants after Brexit — to wean businesses off cheap EU labour once and for all.