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Theresa May was today slammed for boasting EU workers will stop "jumping the queue" after Brexit.

The Prime Minister told the CBI's conference the post-Brexit system will be based on skills rather than where migrants come from.

"It will no longer be the case that EU nationals, regardless of the skills or experience they have to offer, can jump thequeue ahead of engineers from Sydney or software developers from Delhi," she said.

But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Prime Minister's language was "offensive" and "disgraceful".

The SNP leader said: "That the case for Brexit has been reduced to such a miserable and self defeating bottom line is depressing in the extreme. Let's lift our sights higher than this.

"Actually, the more I think about it, the more offensive 'jump the queue ' is as a description of a reciprocal right of free movement. Really disgraceful."

(Image: PA)

Businesses in sectors which rely on low-skilled workers, such as hospitality, manufacturing and the care industry, have raised concerns about the impact of restrictions on labour.

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said firms needed time to adapt to the "seismic shift" in the immigration system.

And NHS recruiters fear the new system could cut off the supply of overseas nurses and carers.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry said: "One in five small employers rely on staff from the EU. More than one in three say finding the right staff is currently holding back growth.

"If they're lumbered with complex paperwork and a surcharge to bring in EU staff post- Brexit , that will cause a significant drag on the billions they contribute to the economy each year."

Danny Mortimer, NHS Employers chief executive, warned the planned changes could cut off the supply of nurses.

(Image: www.alamy.com)

"We know we need to increase the number of UK trained health professionals, especially nurses," he said.

"The recommendations on salary thresholds and having no need for a so called 'lower skilled', lower wage, route into the UK would cut off the supply of nurses from overseas and there would be no mechanism for employing people into care worker roles.

"It would be completely unacceptable to allow vital social care services to close under the strain of not having the people required to provide the necessary care."

Downing Street defended the plans.

Key points from UK's 611-page Brexit deal with EU The Brexit deal agreed by Theresa May and the EU covers two areas: the Withdrawal Agreement, covering the UK's exit from the EU, and the Political Declaration on a Future Framework, which sets out the relationship with the EU after Britain leaves. Key details on the Brexit deal include: 1. The Withdrawal Agreement The transition period can be extended until 2022 - after the next election

Goods face being checked between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK

A 'backstop' could extend EU customs rules UK-wide - and we'd need Brussels' permission to quit

European courts will still have a big hold on the UK 2. The Future Framework "Comprehensive arrangements that will create a free trade area" - not exactly the "frictionless trade" hoped for

Possible EU access to British fishing waters

We would remain tied to European courts

We'd respect human rights laws

Visas needed for long term trips to the EU

It has built in vagueness - kicking the can down the road for further negotiations Read about the deal in more depth here.

Asked whether Mrs May regarded EU nationals currently working in the NHS and other public services as having "jumped the queue ", the PM's official spokesman said: "We have always been clear of the important contribution which EU citizens make to our economy and to public services.

"The point the Prime Minister is making is that we wish to have a global system where people's skills are the basis on which they are able to work in the UK.

"At the moment, we have two systems in place - one for people coming to the UK from outside the EU and one for people coming out under the rules of free movement. It's a fact that people coming under the system of free movement don't need a visa and those from outside the EU do."

The spokesman said an immigration white paper setting out the proposed new system was due to be published "shortly".