Brexit pressure group calls for immigration to be cut to 50,000 per year

A pro-Brexit group backed by some Conservative MPs has called for annual net migration to be reduced to 50,000 and for a five year freeze on unskilled migration. The proposals by Leave Means Leave were slammed as "draconian" by Remain campaigners.

Former Ukip leadership candidate Steven Woolfe authored the report, which also called for strict conditions to be placed on migrants entering the UK and an upheaval of the Border Force. It claims to be the first post-Brexit proposal for a new immigration policy and the group said it was delivering "the will of the electorate".

The report called for a British Working Visa System, which would be similar to the Australian model, something Ukip has demanded for a long time.

The report said the place of migrants in the UK workforce should be taken by unemployed or inactive British people aged 16-24.

However, exemptions would be made for the NHS, though Leave Means Leave do want to increase the number of British people working in health.

In addition to freezing and reducing migration, highly skilled workers coming to the UK under Mr Woolfe's new system would have to earn at least £35,000 ($43,300) a year.

There would be no limit on these Tier 1 workers, but they would be subject to a series of tough conditions: they must have a job offer, pass an English test, have a five year private health insurance plan "to prevent dependency on the NHS" and have a "satisfactory" level of savings. After a five year "settlement period" these people would then have the same rights as UK citizens.

Students are not targeted by the report, but they would count towards the overall target of 50,000 annual migrants. There are currently 70,000 international students studying in the UK.

The report also said that EU citizens living in the UK before Article 50 was triggered could remain indefinitely, if the same rights were given to British citizens who are living in Europe. But those arriving after would have to qualify for a visa under the news system.

"We need an immigration system that is fair, flexible and forward-thinking," Woolfe will say at the report launch on Monday. "It must be fair in its outlook, flexible in practice and forward thinking for our economy. Brexit is not about splendid isolation – it's about re-engaging with the world, without our wings clipped by the European Union."

But pro-Remain campaigners were scathing in their criticism, with former health minister Norman Lamb calling the report "draconian".

Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: "Migrant workers contribute to our economy and to British culture – we should be welcoming them in the traditional spirit of British tolerance. Leave means Leave clearly don't understand why British business relies on migrant workers."

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Brian Paddick said: "Leave Means Leave are clearly intent on crippling the British economy and wrecking public services by keeping essential workers out of the UK.

"We're already seeing EU doctors, nurses and social care workers leaving the country. Since this Tory government parked its tanks on UKIP's lawn, EU workers no longer feel welcome. The Home Secretary needs to put an end to this rhetoric and guarantee the rights of the millions of EU citizens living in the UK.

"Immigration has had a positive effect on our economy, our public services and our communities. Adopting an isolationist, xenophobic approach will leave us all worse off."