The home secretary said she’s committed to the government’s target of reducing annual net migration from more than 300,000 people to less than 100,000.
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She told the Andrew Marr Show on BBC One: “I think they (British citizens) 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 give the best negotiation”, she added.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected a “points-based” system to screen immigrants, setting up a potential conflict with Brexit campaigners in her government who promised to bring in Australian-style controls over European Union migrants.
Ms Rudd also explained the Government’s decision to ditch an Australian-style points system for border control.
“The reality is this is a two way street, this is not about one issue, it’s about a range of things”.
“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”, Rudd said. “I can’t tell you how that will be implemented, but I can tell you that’s the guiding principle”.
“My reaction to that is it’s a reminder that this is a two-way negotiation”. The idea of work permits “certainly has value”, she said, though it’s “too early” to talk about specifics. “Theresa May is the driver, and the rest of us are in the vehicle”. “The rest of us are in the vehicle”.
Britain’s immigration minister says United Kingdom citizens may have to pay for visas to visit European Union nations after the country leaves the bloc.
After Brexit, however, Britons would have to apply through a future ETIAS scheme and pay to visit the continent, legal experts suggested – something Ms Rudd has now confirmed is a real possibility.
In a statement from Labour’s headquarters Burnham said: “This is yet another example of the drift and confusion as a result of the government’s failure to plan for Brexit”.
‘Ministers should not just accept there’s a cost of £50 for the average family to go on holiday.
“The Home Secretary’s words will not have reassured ordinarily families about the cost of Brexit”.
The potential charge was labelled a “holiday tax” by Labour.
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Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, said the scheme, which is reportedly being considered by European Union officials as part of changes to border security, would add £50 to the cost of a family break.
