29 July, 2017
"Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis made the commitment as he announced the government had commissioned a" detailed assessment" of the costs and benefits of European Union migrants to the UK.
The British media reported that the final outcome of the report is not expected until September 2018, seven months before the end of the two-year negotiating period with the EU.
The Chancellor, who has long spoken out against a "cliff-edge" Brexit, said there was now a "broad acceptance" among the Cabinet that a transitional period will be needed after Britain's departure from the bloc.
"Only hours after the Home Secretary announces there will be no cliff edge when we leave the European Union, her Immigration Minister announces a definite end to freedom of movement from March 2019".
Earlier this week Mr Hammond told ITV he hoped talks on a transitional deal could start in the autumn.
"I haven't seen the study you talk of because I've been here in Australia for the last couple of days and travelling for the last week but all I can give you is my own views about the value of immigration and the value of having an open approach to it", he said.
She also said that the United Kingdom government will "set out some initial thinking on options for the future immigration system" this autumn, but that the committee's report and "the views of a range of stakeholders" will be taken into account before making any final decisions. The government will lay out some of the options in the Fall.
The heads of government of the 27 will decide whether the yardstick has been met.
"We've been clear that it will be some time before we are able to introduce full migration controls between the United Kingdom and the European Union", he said in a BBC radio interview, saying the government now lacked the capacity to monitor EU migrants.
"There will be a new immigration system in place from the spring of 2019 and that will be outlined in the Immigration Bill that will go through Parliament next year".
May expects what she calls an implementation phase but she has given few details of how it would look.
"Decisions about the future immigration system must be based on data, evidence and analysis".
Rudd has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to look at how migration affects the labour market and the wider economy, and how any arrangements after Brexit will ensure that United Kingdom industry can remain resilient.
We will remain a hub for worldwide talent and our departure from the European Union must be seen in this context.
"In future, we will be able to apply different immigration rules and requirements according to economic and social needs, and reflecting our future deep and special partnership with the European Union, including on any implementation arrangements following the UK's departure".
"But not only is it a bit late to be commissioning this study now, we wonder how the Government is going to produce legislation - as it's promised to do next year - ahead of the findings of their study".