her immigration minister, brandon lewis, then appeared on the today programme this morning, taking aent will end, he said, when we leave the eu. then she talked to him during the day. i wonder if that was a rather uncomfortable call? here's our policy editor chris cook. immigration was a major issue in the referendum argument. absolutely no control over huge numbers of people coming from the eu. vote leave and to take back control. isn't it time we took back control? take back control. control the borders and control our immigration policies.

earlier i spoke to the immigration minister brandon lewis.ort wasn't commissioned a year and a month ago, straight after the brexit vote. we've commissioned today, and the work with the migration advisory committee will start and we will have interim reports as well. later this year i will publish a white paper. in early 2018 we will bring an immigration bill. the home secretary has made it clear that there is a transition period of up to three years after march, 2019, went eu nationals can simply turn up and register to stay. and yet you say that freedom of movement will end in march, 2019. which is it? freedom of movement will end when we leave the eu, it is one of the four pillars. we get control back of the immigration system. my understanding is that up to three years afterwards, workers in the european union can come and simply register, which is not controlled, they can register and in the transition period, up to three years, they can stay. is that right? we haven't outlined the detail of what will happen. amber rudd did. she didn't.

the immigration minister, brandon lewis, said it was a "simple matter of fact" that free movement ruleslonger apply after britain leaves the eu — that means new rules to manage migration would be in place by spring 2019. the home secretary has written in the financial times today laying out her views of a post brexit immigration system. she said "we need the most accurate picture possible of the extent to which the uk economy uses eu labour." she also sought to reassure businesses there would be no "cliff edge" once we leave. she concluded by saying, "put simply, the uk must remain a hub for international talent." we can speak to our assistant political editor norman smith. what have we learnt about the government's position on migration? i think what we've learnt, ben, is a renewed desire in government to take his opinion on board when it comes to framing a new immigration system. amber rudd went out of her way today to say she wants to hear from business, they have to be honest, they have to express their views, tell government what sort of immigration system they want. this, business

the immigration minister, brandon lewis, come march, 2019, free movement of labour will end.s left open—mouthed not knowing about the policy when he was asked in australia. the truth is, yes, amber ruddis australia. the truth is, yes, amber rudd is clear she wants a bigger say for business, but in terms of what the new immigration rules might look like and when they will kick in, we do not know. the reason for that, i suspect, is ministers themselves do not know because that debate is still going on in government. thank you. let us talk about the business side of things as well. our business editor, simon jack, is here. business says it needs clarity, certainty, has it got that today? they accept, they are optimistic it isa they accept, they are optimistic it is a good, first step. you want an evidence —based system, you need that evidence. better late than never. privately, they are saying it is very late. this will report back in september, 2018, six months before, and businesses, particularly sectors like construction, hospitality, agriculture, which rely heavily on migran

this morning, the immigration minister brandon lewis sought to quash that idea, insisting that when wehe eu in march 2019, that will be the end of freedom of movement, and the public will have a clear idea of the new immigration rules. have a listen to what he said. we are very clear about this, as is the home secretary in her notes which she has outlined to the commission. free movement ends when we leave the european union. we have also been clear about having a smooth process which can make our economy prosper. the commission's work will help inform what industries and sectors need within the new structure of immigration as they go forward. what is interesting is both mr lewis and amber rudd are saying when we leave in march 2019, that does not mean the new system starts them, it will be phased in gradually. we do not know how long that process will be. it could stretch up to four years and experts say getting a new visa system in place could take years. so getting the new immigration system might not come into force. as i said earlier on since the brexit vote, why has it taken so l

that is what brandon lewis, the minister immigration said this morning.ty, which is something everyone says is helpful to know one. we have already seen the number of registrations to be a nurse have dropped by 96%. we have already seen a drop in the number of migrants coming to this country, of about 80 6000. so the reality is, already having —— uncertainty is already having —— uncertainty is already having —— uncertainty is already having an effect. for those who pointed leave, the answer is that great because we are taking back control. but on taking back control, it‘s difficult. people think taking back control thinks taking back control of the border. in fact border control does very little in terms of immigration control. immigration control is largely done by employers, and landlords. so the question is, to a nswer landlords. so the question is, to answer your earlier point about work permits, does that make more bureaucracy for employers who are going to have to manage these work permit schemes? and the answer is obviously yes? the answer is yes.

different government ministers appears to be very contradictory. 0n the one hand we're hearing from brandon lewis and our thoughts about the way we might ta ke our thoughts about the way we might take things forward need to be discussed. that is helpful and constructive but it won't be if everything everyone says is reported in public. how long is the transition period you would like? you are asking me a question i have a nswered you are asking me a question i have answered many times before, we don't have a fixed idea about the length of that but we know it will need to be for a fixed period but whether that time needs to be a year, two yea rs, that time needs to be a year, two years, three years, that will be determined by the facts, that will be determined by questions like how long it will take us to put in place changes at our customs border as we processed goods coming into the uk. how long it will take us to put in place changes at the border in heathrow for example where we processed people. these are matters of fa ct processed people. these are matters of fact about the way we work —— we