There’s nothing new about the Confederation of British Industry’s proposals on freedom of movement (CBI wants new rules to keep open pipeline of EU workers after Brexit, 10 August). The measures are almost entirely possible under existing EU law and the deal negotiated by David Cameron in February 2016.

Among its proposals are a compulsory registration for EU citizens after arrival in the UK, something other EU countries do already and the UK could do if the Home Office were capable of administering it, and restricting EU citizens to a three-month stay unless they can prove they are working or studying, which is already EU law. As to controls on in-work benefits, this was renegotiated by Cameron ahead of the EU referendum, though a decent living wage would help do away with the need to make up the difference through benefits.

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In effect, by calling for a system where EU workers avoid the burdensome rules of non-EU migrants, the CBI is calling for a continuation of freedom of movement – enforced by existing EU rules.

The need for a version of free movement shows that one of the key drivers of the Brexit vote lies in tatters. Rightly so. Because, as the CBI points out, immigration delivers significant economic benefits for the UK, with foreign workers putting in more than they take out. But this is about more than economics. Freedom of movement grants people the precious gift of freedom to travel, study, work or love across our wonderful continent.

Molly Scott Cato MEP

Green, South West England

• John Hardie, the deputy director general of the CBI, said companies believed honesty was needed in the political debate about migration. So let’s try some honesty.

We do not have a problem with migrants but we do have a problem with companies, company bosses and shareholders who are addicted to a never-ending supply of cheap labour. We also have a minimum wage that is totally inadequate and not properly enforced.

No plea for an honest debate on migration can omit crying about the NHS and how we need migrant labour to stop it from imploding. The reality is that we have become reliant on other countries paying to train our medical staff. We’ve even stopped the nurse’s bursary.

We need to start training – in large numbers – not just doctors and nurses but engineers, computer scientists, teachers, etc. For too many years Britain companies have relied on cheap trained labour from abroad and watching their profits rise. Now is the time for the CBI to make certain that British companies contribute and stop exploiting the citizens of poorer countries.

Michael Gold

Rush Green, London

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