Boris Johnson promises to let EU nationals stay in Britain for good after Brexit
BORIS Johnson today pledged to protect Europeans living here after Brexit in a bid to establish his liberal credentials.
The new Prime Minister said the rights of EU citizens would be “guaranteed in law” as early as possible.
He also pledged a massive overhaul of the UK’s migration system following the end of free movement.
In his first Commons statement, the PM was challenged by Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson on the issue.
She said: “The three million EU citizens are our family, our friends, our neighbours, our carers. Yet, for three years, they have been made to feel unwelcome in our country.
“They deserve better than warm words and more months of anxiety. They deserve certainty now.
“The Prime Minister has made assurances, so will he back the bill of my Lib Dem colleague Lord Oates to guarantee in law the rights of EU citizens or is he all talk and no trousers?”
Boris replied: “I join you in insisting on the vital importance of guaranteeing the rights and protections of the 3.2million who have lived and worked among us for so long.
“Of course, we are insisting their rights are guaranteed in law, and I’m pleased to say that under our settlement scheme, 1million have already signed up to enshrine their rights.”
He earlier told MPs: “No one believes more strongly than me in the benefits of migration to our country. But I am clear that our immigration system must change.
“For years, politicians have promised the public an Australian-style points based system. And today I will actually deliver on those promises.
“I will ask the Migration Advisory Committee to conduct a review of that system as the first step in a radical rewriting of our immigration system.”
After Britain leaves the EU – scheduled for October 31 – free movement of Europeans to the UK will end.
But EU citizens currently living here can apply for “settled status” that ensures their rights permanently.
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