As the Brexit debate moved on to immigration, the home secretary decoupled a key aim from May’s agreement

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Theresa May’s deal offers the end of freedom of movement, a change that supporters of her offer say is crucial in delivering the Brexit for which people voted in 2016.

As ending of freedom of movement is central to the deal, some MPs have been calling for the government to publish the white paper for its post-Brexit immigration bill before next week’s meaningful vote.

The government has told those MPs this is not likely to happen. On Wednesday, the home secretary, Sajid Javid, said it was “still his intention” to publish it this month – a choice of words opposition MPs met with groans and sighs.

Defending the delay, Javid told MPs: “It’s worth keeping in mind that this is the biggest change in our immigration system in four decades. It’s important that we take the time and we get it right.”

Javid also said freedom of movement would end, “deal or no deal” – in effect saying that while it was a key part of the deal, it was not strictly tied to what May was offering.

He also said MPs had been given glimpses of what the post-Brexit immigration system would look like.

The government is proposing a single immigration system that treats migrants from EU countries in the same way as those from non-EU countries. Highly skilled workers who want to live and work in Britain will be given priority.

However, the government says the ability of people from abroad to deliver services and student exchange programmes will form part of future trade agreements.

Brexit: MPs rail against backstop plans in second day of debate on May's deal – Politics live Read more

Javid said he would consider scrapping the current cap of 20,700 on highly skilled migrants as part of the post-Brexit vision.

Applicants will need to meet a minimum salary threshold – for highly skilled migrants this stands at £30,000 – but Javid has hinted this will be reviewed.

Successful applicants for highly skilled work will be able to bring their immediate families, but only if sponsored by their future employers.

For tourists and short-stay business trips, the government is looking at developing a system of e-gate visa checks for all countries considered low-risk.

Passports would be scanned in airports, train stations and ports. All security and criminal records checks would be carried out in advance of visits, in a US-style system.