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Immigration Solicitors

London Mayor says EU nationals must not be used as “bargaining chips” in Brexit negotiations (27 March 2017)

Date: 27/03/2017
Duncan Lewis, Immigration Solicitors, London Mayor says EU nationals must not be used as “bargaining chips” in Brexit negotiations

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is calling on the Prime Minister to give an immediate “cast iron” guarantee to EU nationals that they can stay in the UK post Brexit.

A unilateral pledge to allow EU citizens to remain in the UK once Britain leaves the EU would protect 3.3million EU citizens currently living in the UK.

The London Mayor previously said that a guarantee should be given as soon as Article 50 is triggered, formally starting the Brexit process.

There are around one million EU citizens living in London and Sadiq Khan has said it is crucial that the government protects EU citizens living in the UK, adding that there is broad support for guaranteeing their long-term status in Britain.

Earlier in March, the House of Lords passed an amendment to the Article 50 Bill to give all EU citizens who currently live in the UK the right to stay here after Brexit. However, this was rejected by MPs and the Article 50 Bill passed into law unchanged.

Mr Khan argues that it is unacceptable that people who have made their lives here and contributed to the UK are worried about their long-term future in Britain.

The London Mayor says the Home Office should set up a separate, simple and comprehensive process for all EU nationals who live in the UK legally, to enable them to apply for permanent residence.

Mr Khan has previously said that the current system is not fit for purpose – a view shared by the Select Committee on Exiting the EU, which discussed the impact of Brexit with the Mayor earlier in March.

EU nationals now work in every sector of the economy – and make vital contributions to finance, tech, construction and healthcare, says the London Mayor.

In February, research published by Sadiq Khan revealed that one-quarter of London’s construction workforce was from the European Union, suggesting that a hard Brexit might have a crippling effect on house building in the capital.

Sadiq Khan said:

“Make no mistake about it, the one million European citizens who study, live and work in our great city contribute massively to its success – and there is absolutely no doubt that London would suffer immeasurably without them.

“Business, universities, schools and the health services are all telling me the same thing – you can’t keep over a million Londoners in limbo.It is vital that the government gives them a cast-iron guarantee of the right to remain in the UK – and does not use them as bargaining chips during the complicated process ahead. This reflects badly on London’s and the UK’s global reputation.

“European citizens who have studied, lived and worked in London for years, contributing massively to our success, now fear that they may not have a future in the city they’ve made their home – many of them have had and brought up children here. My message to them is clear: You are Londoners, you are welcome here and you deserve a commitment from the government that you can stay.”

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