Ministers want controls on skilled and unskilled EU workers, say sources

John Springford, director of research, at the Centre for European Reform, argued that it seemed likely that May would consider a preferential system for Europeans because if not they would face getting no more than a “basic free trade deal” from the EU-27. He also argued that restrictions on skilled workers were also likely if the prime minister wanted to achieve her goal to heavily reduce net migration to the tens of thousands.

“We have one of the most highly skilled immigrant populations in the developed world, with the highest numbers of people with degrees, so if you are serious about trying to get down to below 100,000 you will have to reduce the number of skilled migrants that come from the EU,” he said. “If you want to reduce the numbers you’ll need a significantly different regime.”