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EU migration numbers 'would fall by just 40,000 a year' with post-Brexit trade deal

Seeking a deal? PM Theresa May (Rex)
Seeking a deal? PM Theresa May (Rex)

Plans are being being drawn up by UK ministers which would see post-Brexit EU migration into the UK fall by just 40,000 people a year.

A leaked impact assessment document suggests EU workers would be given ‘preferential’ treatment if Britain gains a free trade deal with the EU after leaving.

The document has been drawn by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, claims the Telegraph.

It could go down badly with some of the more Eurosceptic members of her party who have argued for tighter controls on immigration in a post-Brexit world,

If Britain cannot negotiate a trade deal before leaving Brussels – and it is still not clear if it will – then there could be 90,000 fewer workers from the EU entering the country each year.

A ‘flexible migration’ scenario, branded as being a ‘midway point between strict policy and continued labour mobility’, would see EU workers having to earn £20,500 to come to the UK, according to the report.

David Davis and Michel Barnier are set to begin the next round of Brexit negotiations next week (Rex)
David Davis and Michel Barnier are set to begin the next round of Brexit negotiations next week (Rex)
Britain is set to leave the EU in March 2019 (PA)
Britain is set to leave the EU in March 2019 (PA)

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In a no deal scenario, migrants would need to have degrees, a job offer and earn at least £30,000, which would bring them into line with visa requirements for non-EU workers, the reports said.

The leaked report comes as Britain and the EU are set to restart Brexit talks next week.

The next phase of negotiations will concentrate on trade.

Britain is due to leave the European Union in March 2019. The referendum which backed leaving took place in 2016.