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EU can do better than that on citizens' rights, Brussels tells Theresa May

Theresa May in Brussels (Rex)
Theresa May in Brussels (Rex)

An offer by Theresa May to give residency rights to some three million EU citizens in the UK has run into big trouble less than 24 hours after she proposed it.

The deal has been widely criticised with Brussels claiming it could make conditions worse for European citizens.

EU Council president Donald Tusk, said: “The UK’s offer is below our expectations and risks worsening the situation for our citizens.”

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said the proposal was “a first step, but not sufficient”.

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Meanwhile the UK offer was dismissed as “pathetic” by a group campaigning for an estimated three million European expats living in the UK.

Something to laugh about – Mrs May and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel (Rex)
Something to laugh about – Mrs May and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel (Rex)

It all adds up to a bad start to the Brexit negotiations for Mrs May.

Under proposals outlined to fellow leaders at a Brussels summit on Thursday, Mrs May said settled status will be offered to all EU nationals who have been in the UK for five years.

This would grant them the same rights as British citizens to healthcare, education, welfare benefits and pensions.

Mrs May said EU expats should take “reassurance and confidence” from the package.

Unimpressed: EU president Donald Tusk (Rex)
Unimpressed: EU president Donald Tusk (Rex)

“I want to reassure all those EU citizens who are in the UK, who have made their lives and homes in the UK, that no one will have to leave. We won’t be seeing families split apart,” she said.

“This is a fair and serious offer.”

However, NIcholas Hatton, co-chairman of the 3Million movement said the proposals failed to end uncertainty over the reunification of families, the right to work and the ability to retain UK rights when moving between and working across different European countries.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the proposals represented “a good start” but cautioned there were “many, many other issues” before Britain could reach agreement on a withdrawal deal.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said there were “thousands of questions to ask” about Mrs May’s proposals.

Domestically, the ideas were criticised by leading opposition figures with Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer calling it “too little, too late”.