British parliamentarians adopted the law ending the free movement of workers with the European Union on Monday, by a vote that highlighted the issue of foreign caregivers in the midst of a health crisis. From 2021, the law abolishes the specific rights to immigrate for citizens of the European Economic Area (European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. The law was passed with the votes of the Conservative majority, 351 to 252, from the opposition.
It does not detail the new criteria for authorizing or not to immigrate. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already presented a point system project, which should favor candidates working in a highly qualified profession. The immigration of citizens from the poorest countries of the EU had been one of the main themes of the 2016 referendum campaign on membership of the bloc. It had resulted in the victory of those who wished to give back to the United Kingdom the control of its borders thanks to Brexit.
Read also: Brexit: the UK takes off
Interior Minister Priti Patel promised on Monday a "firmer, fairer and simpler" system that would "play a vital role" against the coronavirus pandemic. His Labor opponent Nick Thomas-Symonds replied that the law was "a threat to the NHS [public hospital system] at a time when we need it more than ever" . To immigrate, you will have to earn at least 25,600 pounds per year (28,600 euros), less than the national median wage, but more than many employees in the health and social sector. Just over 13% of NHS employees are foreigners and 5.5% EU citizens.
Priti Patel pointed out that the government had set up an accelerated visa procedure for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. The executive has also promised an automatic one-year extension for visas in these occupations due to expire by October.
After leaving the EU on January 31, the UK entered a transition phase until December 31. It maintains the free movement of workers, the time to negotiate future relations between the country and the 27. Ireland will be exempt from immigration rules, under a free movement agreement prior to the accession of the two countries to the EU in 1973.
