Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out a points-based system for EU migrants entering the UK. Members from the Vote Leave campaign have urged the Brexit minister David Davis not to compromise on the issue when negotiating a deal with the EU.
Speaking from Hangzhou, China where she was attending the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister said “What the British people voted for was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union to the UK. A points-based system does not give you that control.”
Outgoing Ukip leader and prominent Vote Leave campaigner, Nigel Farage said “Theresa May’s track record on immigration as home secretary was appalling and her comments rejecting the Australian-style points system really worry me. There is already huge anxiety out there in the country regarding Theresa May’s reluctance to trigger Article 50. Her rejection of the type of migration system so many went out there and voted Leave to see implemented indicates serious backsliding.”
A number of ideas have been put forward regarding immigration policy with the most attention given to a work permit scheme. Another idea suggested is that people coming from the EU must have a definite job offer.
Indian PM Narendra Modi, who was also at the G20 summit, urged the government to allow swifter access to the UK for Indian businessmen. From next April, Indians coming to Britain on intra-company transfer visas will be hit as the minimum salary threshold is set to rise. The threshold will increase from £24,000 to £30,000 for those arriving for a year or less. They would also have to pay a £200 annual health surcharge.
In other news, the Brexit minister David Davis has seized upon a set of upbeat surveys, including data which shows a strong recovery in the service sector, proof of a strong UK economy. Updating the House of Commons following its summer recess, Mr Davis said “Our economy is robust… the latest data suggest our manufacturing and service industries and consumer confidence are strong”.
He added companies were putting their “faith and money” in the UK, citing investment announcements during the summer by SoftBank, Siemens and Glaxo-SmithKline. “Brexit isn't about making the best of a bad job.”
A Markit/CIPS survey of purchasing managers rose from 47.4 to 52.9 in August, passing the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction of the economy. The highest since July. Following this, the Sterling rose 0.6%.
Despite this long-term concerns remain. At the G20 summit, Japan gave a surprise by publishing a memo warning that its banks and their companies could leave the UK if the country’s access to the single market was compromised.
Finally, in her first appearance on the international stage as PM, Theresa May was in for a challenge as things didn't go swimmingly. During the official photo call of world leaders, the PM was tucked away on the second row, a symbol of the Britain might be treated by the post-Brexit world.
It became clear in her first outing that making friends on the international stage might be harder than before. For instance, the once boasted “special relationship” with the US is over. President Obama told the PM, America would now focus on trade negotiations with the EU and other Pacific nations. In a glaring example of the new atmosphere, the US president along with John Kerry met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the French president, Françios Hollande without Mrs May.
Along with the ‘special relationship’, the “golden era” of Anglo-Chinese relations came to abrupt halt over the Hinkley Point nuclear plant. Furthermore, India showed its fury about UK plans to tighten immigration rules, especially on student visas.
