Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet has agreed that EU citizens should not have preferential access to work in Britain compared to people from elsewhere after Brexit, media reports said Tuesday.

Ministers gathering on Monday "unanimously supported a system based on skills rather than nationality", an unnamed source told the BBC, with similar reports in The Times and The Guardian.

Citizens from the other 27 European Union member states are currently free to live and work in Britain under the bloc's freedom of movement rules, but this will end after Brexit.

A government-commissioned report last week recommended that in future, EU and non-EU citizens follow the same immigration rules, with preference given to high-skilled workers.

The report's author, Alan Manning of the Migration Advisory Committee, briefed the cabinet meeting on Monday on his plan.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The cabinet agreed that, once free movement is brought to an end, the government will be able to introduce a new system which works in the best interests of the UK, including by helping to boost productivity."

May is now expected to make an announcement on future immigration rules at her Conservative party's conference next week, before likely introducing proposals later this year.

However, any post-Brexit immigration policy could be affected by Britain's future trade deals.

The EU may well seek to negotiate continued preferential treatment in return for access to its single market, while other countries could also seek visa waivers in return for trade deals.

May promised last week that even if Brexit negotiations with the EU break down, the rights of Europeans currently living in Britain "will be protected".

Her spokesman said there would be formal proposals published "shortly".

Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet has agreed that EU citizens should not have preferential access to work in Britain compared to people from elsewhere after Brexit, media reports said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet has agreed that EU citizens should not have preferential access to work in Britain compared to people from elsewhere after Brexit, media reports said Tuesday. Ministers gathering on Monday "unanimously supported a system based on skills rather than nationality", an unnamed source told the BBC, with similar reports in The Times and The Guardian. Citizens from the other 27 European Union member states are currently free to live and work in Britain under the bloc's freedom of movement rules, but this will end after Brexit. A government-commissioned report last week recommended that in future, EU and non-EU citizens follow the same immigration rules, with preference given to high-skilled workers. The report's author, Alan Manning of the Migration Advisory Committee, briefed the cabinet meeting on Monday on his plan. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The cabinet agreed that, once free movement is brought to an end, the government will be able to introduce a new system which works in the best interests of the UK, including by helping to boost productivity." May is now expected to make an announcement on future immigration rules at her Conservative party's conference next week, before likely introducing proposals later this year. However, any post-Brexit immigration policy could be affected by Britain's future trade deals. The EU may well seek to negotiate continued preferential treatment in return for access to its single market, while other countries could also seek visa waivers in return for trade deals. May promised last week that even if Brexit negotiations with the EU break down, the rights of Europeans currently living in Britain "will be protected". Her spokesman said there would be formal proposals published "shortly".

UK government 'agrees not to favour EU workers after Brexit'

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Saturday accused EU Council President Donald Tusk of "insulting the British people" by needling Prime Minister Theresa May in a viral social media post.

Tusk created a mini-sensation during a difficult EU summit on Brexit in Salzburg by posting a photo on Instagram of himself offering May a tray of cakes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-ideas-on-post-brexit-ties-are-pure-illusion-says-european-council-president-donald-tusk-33863">UK ideas on post-Brexit ties are 'pure illusion', says European Council President Donald Tusk</a>

"A piece of cake, perhaps?" Tusk wrote alongside the picture. "Sorry, no cherries."

The comment was a biting reference to accusations by Brussels that May was "cherry-picking" the best parts of EU membership while leaving the bloc.

Her divorce proposal envisions a UK-EU free trade area for goods through a common rulebook.

But it would abandon the bloc's right to the free movement of people and see Britain adopt its own migration policy.

The EU wants to make sure the remaining 27 members do not follow Britain's example by trying to leave while preserving the benefits of free trade.

May's plan was rebuffed in Salzburg on Thursday and Tusk's post only added to what several British newspapers called her "humiliation".

The prime minister tried to regain her footing by delivering a tough television address on Friday demanding that Britain be treated with "respect".

That message was picked up and taken a step further by Hunt in an appearance on the BBC's Today radio programme on Saturday.

"Don't mistake British politeness for weakness," Hunt said.

"We need to get the tone right and insulting her, insulting the British people on social media, getting into these standoffs where you're calling people liars and so on is not the way we are going to find a solution to this difficult situation."

Tusk issued a statement on Friday evening calling himself "a close friend of the UK and a true admirer of PM May". French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier mocked some pro-Brexit British politicians as "liars."

'Plan B'

How the two sides intend to move forward with the clock ticking down to the March 29 Brexit deadline remains unclear.

Pressure is mounting on May from eurosceptics in her Tory party to abandon the so-called "Chequers" proposal for a less ambitious one that would not maintain such close EU-UK ties.

The Daily Telegraph reported that ministers intended to use a cabinet meeting on Monday to call on May to develop a "Plan B" alternative to Chequers.

May continued to insist on Friday that there were only two options on the table: trying to find a compromise on her proposal or no deal at all.

She added that it was now the EU's turn to make a counter-proposal.

"We now need to hear from the EU what the real issues are and what their alternative is so that we can discuss them. Until we do, we cannot make progress," May said.

But Hunt refused to rule out looking into an alternative to Chequers such as the deal Canada signed with the EU in 2016.

"I'm not dismissive of anything," Hunt said.

"We have been clear that we are prepared to negotiate on the Chequers proposal, but we can't talk to a void."

Canada has a much looser free trade deal that does not remove non-tariff barriers to trade.

 
May said on Friday that a basic free trade agreement of that type would see Northern Ireland "permanently separated economically from the rest of the UK".

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Saturday accused EU Council President Donald Tusk of "insulting the British people" by needling Prime Minister Theresa May in a viral social media post.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Saturday accused EU Council President Donald Tusk of "insulting the British people" by needling Prime Minister Theresa May in a viral social media post. Tusk created a mini-sensation during a difficult EU summit on Brexit in Salzburg by posting a photo on Instagram of himself offering May a tray of cakes. Also read: UK ideas on post-Brexit ties are 'pure illusion', says European Council President Donald Tusk "A piece of cake, perhaps?" Tusk wrote alongside the picture. "Sorry, no cherries." The comment was a biting reference to accusations by Brussels that May was "cherry-picking" the best parts of EU membership while leaving the bloc. Her divorce proposal envisions a UK-EU free trade area for goods through a common rulebook. But it would abandon the bloc's right to the free movement of people and see Britain adopt its own migration policy. The EU wants to make sure the remaining 27 members do not follow Britain's example by trying to leave while preserving the benefits of free trade. May's plan was rebuffed in Salzburg on Thursday and Tusk's post only added to what several British newspapers called her "humiliation". The prime minister tried to regain her footing by delivering a tough television address on Friday demanding that Britain be treated with "respect". That message was picked up and taken a step further by Hunt in an appearance on the BBC's Today radio programme on Saturday. "Don't mistake British politeness for weakness," Hunt said. "We need to get the tone right and insulting her, insulting the British people on social media, getting into these standoffs where you're calling people liars and so on is not the way we are going to find a solution to this difficult situation." Tusk issued a statement on Friday evening calling himself "a close friend of the UK and a true admirer of PM May". French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier mocked some pro-Brexit British politicians as "liars." 'Plan B' How the two sides intend to move forward with the clock ticking down to the March 29 Brexit deadline remains unclear. Pressure is mounting on May from eurosceptics in her Tory party to abandon the so-called "Chequers" proposal for a less ambitious one that would not maintain such close EU-UK ties. The Daily Telegraph reported that ministers intended to use a cabinet meeting on Monday to call on May to develop a "Plan B" alternative to Chequers. May continued to insist on Friday that there were only two options on the table: trying to find a compromise on her proposal or no deal at all. She added that it was now the EU's turn to make a counter-proposal. "We now need to hear from the EU what the real issues are and what their alternative is so that we can discuss them. Until we do, we cannot make progress," May said. But Hunt refused to rule out looking into an alternative to Chequers such as the deal Canada signed with the EU in 2016. "I'm not dismissive of anything," Hunt said. "We have been clear that we are prepared to negotiate on the Chequers proposal, but we can't talk to a void." Canada has a much looser free trade deal that does not remove non-tariff barriers to trade. May said on Friday that a basic free trade agreement of that type would see Northern Ireland "permanently separated economically from the rest of the UK".

Britain fumes at 'insulting' Tusk post about PM's Brexit plan

European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday dismissed as &quot;pure illusion&quot; the ideas floated by Britain so far on what sort of relationship it wants with the European Union after it leaves the bloc.

Tusk said he hoped to get more clarity when he meets Theresa May next Thursday, a day before the British prime minister is due to deliver a speech to outline London&#39;s vision of its future ties with the EU.

&quot;I am glad that the UK government seems to be moving towards a more detailed position,&quot; Tusk told journalists after 27 EU leaders - all apart from May - met in Brussels on Friday.

&quot;However ... I am afraid that the UK position today is based on pure illusion. It seems like the &#39;cake&#39; philosophy is still alive. From the very start it has been a key clear principle of the EU 27 that there can be no cherry-picking and no single market &#39;a la carte&#39;.&quot;

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has famously said he wants Britain to get the best of both worlds - to &quot;have its cake and eat it&quot;.

EU leaders have long been asking May for details of London&#39;s vision for future relations, but she has been hampered by divisions within her ruling Conservative Party, with some backing close trading ties and others seeking a &quot;clean break&quot;.

The cake problem

Tusk said the remaining 27 EU states would adopt their joint stance on that in March, whether London provided input or not. He said the bloc would be &quot;extremely realistic in our assessment of possible new proposals&quot;.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who saw May this week, echoed those comments in talking to reporters separately after the Brussels meeting.

&quot;I made it clear to Theresa May that I believe it is crucial for the UK to set out its position on the transition, on issues like the Irish border, and particularly on the future relationship,&quot; he said.

&quot;We don&#39;t like cherry-picking, so it will be difficult to come to a bespoke deal along the lines that some in the UK are suggesting.&quot;

The EU has rejected British ideas for a three-pronged deal in which Britain would stick to the bloc&#39;s rules after Brexit in some areas, diverge moderately in others and go for distinctively different solutions for the rest.

The issue of avoiding erecting a border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland after Britain leaves has emerged as the most sensitive in the divorce negotiations, as both sides fear a return to the violence that beset the region for decades.

The EU expects Britain to come up with proposals on that, adding that London&#39;s desire to leave the bloc&#39;s single market and customs union means a border would be virtually unavoidable.

&quot;I don&#39;t think the United Kingdom has yet squared the circle,&quot; Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told journalists. &quot;You&#39;re hearing this idea of three baskets. But that&#39;s not a significant step away from having your cake and eating it.&quot;

Tusk said he hoped to get more clarity when he meets Theresa May next Thursday, a day before the British prime minister is due to deliver a speech to outline London's vision of its future ties with the EU.

European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday dismissed as "pure illusion" the ideas floated by Britain so far on what sort of relationship it wants with the European Union after it leaves the bloc. Tusk said he hoped to get more clarity when he meets Theresa May next Thursday, a day before the British prime minister is due to deliver a speech to outline London's vision of its future ties with the EU. "I am glad that the UK government seems to be moving towards a more detailed position," Tusk told journalists after 27 EU leaders - all apart from May - met in Brussels on Friday. "However ... I am afraid that the UK position today is based on pure illusion. It seems like the 'cake' philosophy is still alive. From the very start it has been a key clear principle of the EU 27 that there can be no cherry-picking and no single market 'a la carte'." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has famously said he wants Britain to get the best of both worlds - to "have its cake and eat it". EU leaders have long been asking May for details of London's vision for future relations, but she has been hampered by divisions within her ruling Conservative Party, with some backing close trading ties and others seeking a "clean break". The cake problem Tusk said the remaining 27 EU states would adopt their joint stance on that in March, whether London provided input or not. He said the bloc would be "extremely realistic in our assessment of possible new proposals". Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who saw May this week, echoed those comments in talking to reporters separately after the Brussels meeting. "I made it clear to Theresa May that I believe it is crucial for the UK to set out its position on the transition, on issues like the Irish border, and particularly on the future relationship," he said. "We don't like cherry-picking, so it will be difficult to come to a bespoke deal along the lines that some in the UK are suggesting." The EU has rejected British ideas for a three-pronged deal in which Britain would stick to the bloc's rules after Brexit in some areas, diverge moderately in others and go for distinctively different solutions for the rest. The issue of avoiding erecting a border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland after Britain leaves has emerged as the most sensitive in the divorce negotiations, as both sides fear a return to the violence that beset the region for decades. The EU expects Britain to come up with proposals on that, adding that London's desire to leave the bloc's single market and customs union means a border would be virtually unavoidable. "I don't think the United Kingdom has yet squared the circle," Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told journalists. "You're hearing this idea of three baskets. But that's not a significant step away from having your cake and eating it."

UK ideas on post-Brexit ties are 'pure illusion', says European Council President Donald Tusk

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UK government 'agrees not to favour EU workers after Brexit'

Britain fumes at 'insulting' Tusk post about PM's Brexit plan

UK ideas on post-Brexit ties are 'pure illusion', says European Council President Donald Tusk