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| EU Secretary, Amber Rudd |
Britons could be forced to pay for permission to travel to the EU
after Brexit, the home secretary has admitted, warning that the
restrictions are likely to form part of the negotiations over departure.
In her first significant interview since taking over the post in July, Amber Rudd
said the possible need to apply for permission to travel under a visa
waiver scheme being considered by the European commission was not the
preferred option but could not be discounted.
Asked on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday if UK nationals might
be shocked to have to pay for permission to visit France, Rudd replied:
“I think they would be surprised. I don’t think it’s particularly
desirable, but we don’t rule it out, because we have to be allowed a
free hand to get the best negotiations.”
She added: “My reaction to that is it’s a reminder that this is a
two-way negotiation. The EU and the commissioners may be considering
issues, alternatives. They will be considering their negotiations with
us, just as we are with them. But I’m going to make sure that what we do
get is in the best interests of the UK.”
On Saturday, the Guardian reported that
as part of draft European commission legislation for the EU travel
information and authorisation system (Etias), France and Germany both
back a system based on the US Esta scheme,
which requires visitors from countries that do not require full visas
to apply online for permission to travel, preferably 72 hours before
they leave, at a cost of $14 (£10).
As EU citizens, though not from the Schengen free movement area, UK
nationals must show a valid passport to enter the zone but can then
travel freely within it. But after Brexit, British citizens could have
to apply through the Etias scheme and pay to visit, legal experts told
the Guardian.
Andy
Burnham, the shadow home secretary, said Rudd’s comments pointed to
“yet another example of the drift and confusion as a result of the
government’s failure to plan for Brexit”.
He said: “The home secretary’s words will not have reassured ordinary
families about the cost of Brexit. She seems to be sympathetic to an
idea that will put a flat £50 tax on the average family holiday in
Europe. Tory ministers might think nothing of that, but it would make it
even harder for ordinary families to afford a holiday.
“Norway doesn’t have the charge so why should we? I challenge the home secretary to rule it out.”
Rudd, a prominent supporter of remaining in the EU before the June
referendum, otherwise gave very few details of how she might seek to
balance controlling immigration numbers from the EU with keeping some
access to the bloc’s single market.
“What I do think the British public voted for was to make sure that we reduce immigration from the European Union,”
Rudd said. “That’s a given. We have to find a way of doing that. I
wouldn’t necessarily say what it means to do with the single market, but
what I would say is we have to work out how we can do that, while
promoting and protecting the economy.”
While confirming the intention to reduce annual net migration to the
tens of thousands, Rudd said she could give no details as to which areas
would be tackled.
“I can’t tell you which portion of which area of immigration we’re
actually going to drive down more than the other,” she said. “Because
we’re going to be entering into a negotiation with the European Union.”
Pressed on details, Rudd echoed Theresa May’s words on Brexit, saying: “I know you want me to give a running commentary on the negotiations, but I’m not in a position to do that.”
She added: “What we’re going to look at is how we can get the best
for the economy – driving the numbers down but protecting the people who
really add value to the economy. I can’t give specific areas at the
moment.”
With May ruling out a points-style system last week, Rudd was asked
if there would be some sort of work permit scheme for EU arrivals. She
said: “I think that work permits certainly has value. But as I said,
we’re not ruling anything out at the moment.”
Amid concerns from universities that student arrivals could be
reduced, Rudd sought to give some reassurance. She said: “We’re looking
at a number of options. But students do make an important contribution.
There’s going to be no blanket banning students coming to the UK. But we
are looking at bringing down the numbers overall.”
Finally, Rudd was asked about about her comments during the Brexit
campaign about Boris Johnson being “the life and soul of the party, but
he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening”.
Asked if she was happy with Johnson at the wheel now he is foreign
secretary, Rudd responded: “Boris is not the driver. Theresa May is the
driver. The rest of us are in the car. She’s very clear we’re all
focused in the same direction.”
