Prime Minister Theresa May today laid out more details on the employment rights of EU nationals living in the UK after Brexit, stating that those who have lived and worked here for five years or more – with “settled status” ‒ will be able to stay here with their families, and be entitled to similar rights and benefits as UK nationals (except the right to vote).
May also said that those who had not reached the five-year threshold would have a ‘grace period’ of around two years in which they would be expected to get a work permit or return home.
“We share Theresa May’s sentiment of not turning our backs on our colleagues and those that ensure the smooth operation of the UK’s eating and drinking out sector,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the AMLR.
“Our reliance on non-UK labour to augment the thousands of jobs already filled by Britons is key to the ability to operate.”
The AMLR also welcomes the Prime Minister’s apparent assurances that the registration process for migrant employees will be streamlined, Nicholls says.
“The Prime Minister’s assurances that provisions will be made to help EU workers’ families live with them in the UK will mean that nobody will have to choose between their job and their family,” Nicholls’ statement continues.
“There is undoubtedly a long way to go before final details are agreed but this sends the right message to EU nationals – that they are welcome to work in the UK and, as taxpayers, enjoy the advantages of the country in the same way as any other taxpayer.”
May’s stance on the issues, and today’s earlier £1bn agreement with the DUP (the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party), shows that the “Government is back in its stride”, the ALMR concludes, which “can only be good for Britain, society and business, providing the stability that is so crucial to our members”.