Britain’s immigration offer to Europe: How could a new preferential system work? sets out a new proposal for a preferential system for EU immigration to the UK. Such a system could, we argue, secure UK public support and work for British business; yet it is also politically deliverable in Westminster and for the EU and its member states too.
The trade-off between accessing European markets and managing EU immigration lies at the heart of the current Brexit policy debate. Various voices from both sides of the negotiating table have set out their red lines. But we have heard relatively few constructive proposals for a deal that might square this circle and work both in the UK and in the capitals of Europe.
The report details a new, three-tier immigration system which offers preferential access to EU workers, with free movement maintained for workers that pass a skills or salary threshold; but brings unskilled immigration under UK control, through annually set quotas. Importantly, the first opportunity to fill those low-skilled migrant quotas would go to Britain’s preferential trade partners, such as the EU.
Many think immigration presents an impossible conundrum for the Brexit negotiations. A new, preferential system, we argue, could rebuild trust on immigration in Britain while offering UK negotiators a positive offer to make as it seeks a strong trade deal with the EU.
Tough politics for Sunak ahead of the next election.
@sundersays analyses the Immigration Attitudes Tracker and considers what this data suggests for the next election.
Listen to Politics Talk for more 🎙️
👀Watch https://bit.ly/PTWatch
👂Listen https://bit.ly/PTListen
Diana Johnson: Have you now got an airline to send people to Rwanda or are you going to use the RAF?
Rishi Sunak: You wouldn't expect me to get into the detail
DJ: So you can't say if there's an airline or not.
‘Starmer leads Sunak on immigration, but the real challenge comes in power’ – @sundersays for @LabourList on what the new Immigration Attitudes Tracker findings mean for the Opposition party.
https://labourlist.org/2024/03/keir-starmer-labour-general-election-immigration-rishi-sunak/
Keep an eye out for @BBCRosAtkins/@BBCPanorama on @BBCOne at 8pm tonight for an immigration special.
Featuring data from the @IpsosUK/@britishfuture Immigration Attitudes tracker as discussed this week with @keiranpedley & @sundersays on our exclusive Politics Talk podcast👇
The @Telegraph reports on new @britishfuture research.
People are unhappy for different reasons: for Conservatives it's small boats & high numbers. For Labour supporters, ‘Creating a negative or fearful environment for migrants’ (42%) is as important as channel crossings (41%)
The paradox of immigration preferences in a nutshell -Majority of Conservative voters support large cuts to immigration, but most also oppose cutting the specific migrant groups who drive current inflows - in fact they want *more* migration from these groups
Does the UK public *really* want to cut immigration of people coming here to work?
@britishfuture immigration attitudes tracker suggests not...
Our @sundersays is talking to @BBCWales at 8.30 and @BBCNews at 10.30 about the new @britishfuture @IpsosUK Immigration Attitudes Tracker research published today https://www.britishfuture.org/new-attitudes-tracker-2024/
None of the political parties are well trusted on immigration: Labour comes out top across GB (trusted by 33%) & the SNP in Scotland. The Conservative Party is trusted by 22% of the public on immigration.
Reform UK is trusted by 26% on immigration, 3 points above the Lib Dems.
People don't know what migration they would cut. Nearly half of 2023 work visas were for health & care work, yet people want more of that migration not less.
Only around a quarter of the public would reduce migration for agriculture, construction, lorry drivers and hospitality