Hammond: Brexit transition may be ‘a lot’ like status quo

Freedom of movement should continue to apply in the UK during the transition period following Brexit, Philip Hammond, the chancellor, has said.

Speaking to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on 12 September, Hammond said that during the still undefined transition period that is due to start in March 2019 European Union nationals should continue to be able to enter the UK on the same basis as at present.

The only change, he said, would be that EU nationals would have to register with the authorities—a requirement already in place in Belgium and provided for under EU law. Hammond noted, however, that the transition arrangement would have to be negotiated with the EU.