The 2016 campaign around the UK referendum on membership of the EU made the free movement and migrants from the EU one of the main topics of debate. It’s worth noting that at that stage that support for free movement in the EU was strong in the UK, with 64% of respondents in favour, according to polling by the European Commission.
This briefing focuses on free movement and aims to provide some facts about its impact in the UK in order to inform the debate. Whilst is makes the argument that the free movement rules of the EU have benefited the UK because of the access it has given a hardworking and often skilled labour force, it does not make the case for remaining in or leaving the EU.