May offers EU nationals the right to stay after Brexit

Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the European Council in Brussels. Picture: AFP/BELGA/Thierry Roge/Getty Images

Theresa May has offered to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK for the rest of their lives ahead of the anniversary of Britain's historic decision to leave the European Union.

The Prime Minister revealed her proposal at the first meeting of European heads of government since the general election, as senior EU figures talked up the prospect of the UK changing its mind on Brexit amid political uncertainty in Britain.

Under Mrs May’s plans, more than three million EU nationals living in the UK who arrived before the referendum a year ago today would have their current rights to live and work in Britain guaranteed.

They would also continue to have full access to pensions, healthcare and education under the terms set out in EU treaties under a new “settled status” created by the government.

It means no-one from an EU member state currently living in Britain legally will be forced to leave after Brexit. However, Mrs May is resisting EU demands that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Strasbourg should be guarantor of those rights.

EU citizens coming to the UK after the Brexit process was formally started with the triggering of Article 50 on 29 March also face further uncertainty, as a cut-off date for new arrivals during the negotiation phase has not been set.

Mrs May told fellow leaders at a dinner in Brussels: “The UK’s position represents a fair and serious offer and one aimed at giving as much certainty as possible to citizens who have settled in the UK, building careers and lives and contributing so much to our society.”

But she added: “The commitment that we make to EU citizens will be enshrined in UK law and will be enforced through our highly respected courts.”