UK proposals for expat rights are ‘a good start’

While Mrs Merkel said many other things remained to be resolved, such as the exit bill and the Northern Ireland border, she welcomed a proposal to give equal rights with British nationals to EU27 nationals living in the UK.

Speaking after Mrs May addressed other leaders at a Brussels summit last night, she said: “Theresa May made clear to us today that EU citizens that have been in Britain for five years will retain their full rights. That is a good start.”

Full details of the British proposal are set to be revealed on Monday, however in outline Mrs May is understood to have offered full access to the NHS, education, benefits and pensions after five years’ residence.

The EU27 citizens will have what will be referred to as “UK settled status” and those who have lived in the UK for fewer than five years would be able to accrue it after they have been in the UK for five years.

Mrs May reportedly told the leaders that the “UK does not want anyone here to have to leave, nor does it want families to be split up”.

She made no specific reference to such thorny matters as minimum incomes or having had private medical insurance (which some people, such as housewives and early retirees have recently been asked to show in order to have permanent residence cards in the UK) though reference was made to ‘legal residence’.

It is understood however that Mrs May has offered to reduce the complications and red tape currently involved in proving residence, which include filling out an 85-page form.

The EU is not expected to reject the principles of offering full rights to residents, as it has already put on the table its own comprehensive proposals in a similar vein.

However some bones of contention will remain – for example the UK is opposed to the EU’s request that the European Court of Justice maintain jurisdiction after Brexit for enforcing the rights.

The ‘cut-off point’ will also be up for negotiation – the EU has said everyone resident on the day the UK leaves should have their rights maintained, but the UK may press for the date of the article 50 trigger – May 29, 2017 – instead or some intermediate point.

Another aspect remaining to be agreed is the right of immediate family members living in the EU to join the person resident in the UK.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron called the proposals “too little, too late”, saying they still leave “millions of people facing unanswered questions”.

He said Mrs May “continues to insist on using EU nationals in Britain as bargaining chips and has failed to provide a full and clear right to stay for all.”