Former Tory minister calls for ‘phased approach’ to ending free movement after Brexit transition

Remarks come as long-delayed Immigration Bill passes second reading in Commons

Priti Patel made the announcement on the day of a deadline set by MPs (AFP)

A former Tory minister has called for a “phased” approach to ending free movement after the Brexit transition period amid the economic turmoil created by the coronavirus pandemic.

As the long-delayed Immigration Bill passed its second reading, Caroline Nokes urged the Home Office to adopt a more cautious approach to the post-Brexit rules.

Under the Home Office plan, and without a Brexit negotiation extension, a new “Australian-style points-based” immigration system will come into force when the 11-month transition period comes to an end in December.

Speaking during the second reading of the Bill, Ms Nokes, a former immigration minister, said: “We must turn off free movement, there is no doubt about that. We must uphold the outcome of the 2016 referendum as the home secretary so rightly pointed out.

“But I would argue we must do it with caution, and perhaps a phased approach might give us more flexibility.”

She continued: “This time last year, matters were very different to today. I was an immigration minister seeking to find a route through a minefield in a time of record employment. I have grave fear that [Priti Patel] might find herself doing it in a time of record unemployment.

“And perhaps those roles which British workers have been able to choose not to do over the last 10 years might be more attractive than they previously were.”

On care workers, Ms Nokes added: “We know that one in six of those brave care workers on the front line of the battle against coronavirus are non-UK nationals. I commend the home secretary for her commitment to extend visas for doctors and nurses, but what of care workers – are they to be the Cinderella service, forgotten once again?

“And what of ancillary staff in our hospitals, so crucial in a war against a virus when repeated deep cleaning is an absolute imperative? We cannot open hospitals if we cannot clean the loos.”

Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary, also said the Bill is “bad in principle, bad in practice” and described it as a “slap in the face for the thousands of migrants, including EU migrants, working so hard for the NHS and care sector in this time of Covid crisis”.

Earlier, Priti Patel said ending free movement will create a “firmer, fairer and simpler system” that will play a “vital role” in the country’s recovery from coronavirus.

“The Bill before us today will play a vital role in our recovery plans for the future,” she said. “It will end free movement and pave the way for our new points-based immigration system.

“A firmer, fairer and simpler system that will attract the people we need to drive our country forward through the recovery stage of coronavirus laying the foundation for a high wage, high skill, productive economy.”