UK: MPs Vote in Favour of Backing Government”s Brexit Plans

December 9, 2016

On 8th December, MPs from across the UK voted in favour of supporting the Government”s plans to trigger Article 50 and begin the UK”s process of leaving the EU by the end of March.

MPs voted 448 to 75 in favour of a Labour motion which allows Parliament to scrutinise the Government”s plans to leave the EU, along with a published timetable for their Brexit plans.

A second vote also went in favour of respecting the Brexit vote, as MPs voted 461 to 89 in favour of triggering Article 50 and beginning formal talks with the EU.

Both Labour and Parliament will claim victory over the vote; Labour for getting the government to reveal its Brexit plans and Ministers for receiving the backing from MPs on their proposed timetable.

Technically MPs have only backed the process of triggering Article 50; however, this is a statement of Parliament”s intent to respect the results of the referendum, which is a first.

This latest vote could also mean that EU citizens living in the UK will become even more concerned about their position in Europe once the formal process of Brexit commences. The Home Office has already seen an increase of 36% in EU citizens applying for Permanent Residency.

Until the plans for Brexit are revealed and we begin the process of triggering Article 50 it is hard to predict the impact of Brexit on EU citizens living in the EU. In the meantime, we can help ensure you are doing everything you can to prepare for any changes that may come into force.

If you would like to speak to one of our specialists regarding the above, please contact a member of our team at [email protected].