CBI Chief To Warn Javid Over Brexit Migration

The head of Britain's biggest employers' group will this week demand new safeguards for EU workers living in the UK following the country's decision to quit the European Union.

Sky News understands that Carolyn Fairbairn will raise the issue during a meeting with Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, amid concerns that many thousands of British-based workers across key industries could be forced to leave.

Ms Fairbairn is expected to outline further details of her wish-list on Monday before she and other business leaders meet Mr Javid on Tuesday.

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Fairbairn said on Sunday: "EU migrants already working in the UK, and contributing greatly to our economy, should be given long-term certainty that they can stay here."

Business leaders will tell Mr Javid that they are seeking urgent reassurance about the Government's ability to negotiate dozens of bilateral trade deals during the coming years.

The importance of migration as an issue for business underlines the extent to which one of the most divisive issues of the referendum campaign will continue to provoke debate.

The chairman of one of the world's largest professional services firms said that economic migration had been "the single-biggest issue raised by clients" since the UK voted for Brexit last week.

Ms Fairbairn is expected to say this week that there should be no haste from ministers to trigger Article 50, the invocation of which would start the two-year timetable for Britain to leave the EU.

The CBI, which was strongly in favour of remaining in the EU, held calls with individual members on Friday and will this week convene discussions with its trade associations council, chairman’s committee and president’s committee to digest the implications of Brexit.

In an article in The Sunday Times, Mr Javid acknowledged concerns about "unrestricted immigration from the EU".

"I am sympathetic with many of them, and it's vital they are addressed if we're going to tackle the rising tide of anti-politics, anti-business sentiment.

"But tightening our borders cannot mean barring the door.

"For centuries, foreign businesses, foreign investors and skilled foreign workers have come to the UK and helped build the world-beating economy we have today.

"That outward-looking attitude must continue."

During an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Javid repeatedly refused to say whether he stood by his forecasts during the referendum campaign that Britain would plunge into recession if it left the EU.

The Business Secretary is already under intense pressure over efforts to rescue the UK’s steel industry following criticism of his handling of the crisis.

Sky News revealed on Saturday that a number of bidders are expected to walk away from the auction of Tata Steel (BSE: TATASTEEL.BO - news) 's UK operations, partly as a consequence of the referendum result.