Brexit: Theresa May attacked over 'morally wrong' decision to delay EU citizens rights

Think tank British Future calls for EU citizens in UK before Article 50 is triggered to be given permanent residence

Prime Minister Theresa May (Getty)

Theresa May should guarantee the rights of three million Europeans in the UK at the start of the Brexit process and her refusal to do so is “morally wrong”, a think tank has said.

British Future called for the Prime Minister to demonstrate “goodwill” and “make the first move” in giving EU citizens in the UK before Brexit the right to stay here permanently.

So far the Prime Minister has said she will guarantee the rights only as part of a reciprocal arrangement in which the status of UK citizens in EU states is secured at the same time.

The panel said all 2.8 million EU nationals in the UK at the point Article 50 is triggered should be eligible for permanent residence with the same health, social and education rights as British citizens.

Labour MP Gisela Stuart, a Leave campaigner who chaired the inquiry, said: “Britain should make clear at the start of the Brexit negotiations that EU citizens already here before that date can stay.

“This would send a clear signal about the kind of country the UK will be after Brexit and the relationship we want with Europe.

“We should expect reciprocal deals for Britons living in European countries, but Britain should make the first move to demonstrate goodwill.”

Just 3 per cent of European citizens living in Britain are unemployed, with 51 per cent classed as employees, 9 per cent self-employed, 4 per cent students and 7 per cent retired while 17 per cent are children, according to their report.

More than a quarter of the food and drink manufacturing workforce and about 15 per cent of academics are from other EU countries, it added. Around 1.2 million British nationals live in other EU countries.

Owen Tudor, TUC head of EU and international relations, said: “EU nationals working in the UK and making a contribution are anxious about what happens to them when Britain leaves the EU. They need to know about their future rights to live and work here.

“Everyone agrees this needs to be resolved quickly and fairly. Our inquiry now has practical recommendations for how to do it.

“This shouldn't be a matter for negotiation. The Prime Minister should make the first move to unblock this ghastly uncertainty. It is morally right and pragmatically sensible.”

The panel called for the permanent residence system, which is underpinned by EU law, to be converted into the indefinite leave to remain status available to international migrants living in the UK. But the complex and expensive process should be streamlined and costs capped, it said.

Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said: “Businesses throughout the UK are very clear that confirming the status of EU migrants resident here is the right thing to do.

“The evidence the inquiry received showed that uncertainty from valued employees about what will happen to them is tangible in workplaces across the UK.

“Our members can't plan for the future or give their employees the assurances they need until government sets out its plan.

“Ending this worry and uncertainty, both swiftly and fairly, is not only the humane thing to do. It is also essential to avoid major disruptions to workforce planning and business development if British companies are to be able to prepare to succeed in life outside the EU.”

Ms May has said she wants to see early agreement on an agreement that would protect the status of EU nationals already living here, but only as long as British citizens’ rights in European member states are protected in return.