Boris- We will put people before passports and END free movement after Brexit

The UK’s post-Brexit immigration system will put “people before passports” the Prime Minister has said.

Speaking at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, the PM said immigration would become “fairer… treating people the same wherever they come from”.

Freedom of movement between the UK and EU is expected to end after the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020.

The government says it will introduce an Australian-style points based system by January 2021.

Under this system those wanting to work in the UK could be assigned points based on a number of professional and personal characteristics such as education levels.

Currently, under freedom of movement, EU citizens do not need a visa to work in the UK, but immigrants from outside the EU are subject to a points system based on English language skills, being sponsored by a company and meeting a salary threshold.

Speaking in London, the prime minister said post-Brexit the UK’s immigration system would become “more equal”.

“By putting people before passports we will be able to attract the best talent from around the world, wherever they may be.”

Low-skilled migrants are likely to be banned from moving to Britain with this new system.

The UK will have the power to end free movement and set its own rules on migration at the end of the Brexit transition period, which runs until 31 December.

The Government was previously expected to keep the current rules in place for a further two years, before introducing a “points-based” system which would make it almost impossible for less skilled migrants to work in the UK.

But ministers are now planning to set up the new system as soon as the transition has ended. A Downing Street Spokesperson told the Sunday Telegraph: “We need to deliver change and businesses need to be prepared for uncontrolled migration of low-skilled workers to end this year.”