<p>British MPs on Monday gave their initial backing to legislation ending free movement of workers with the European Union, but the vote was overshadowed by a row over foreign healthcare staff and coronavirus.</p>.<p>The bill would abolish the special immigration status for citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland when a post-Brexit transition period expires on December 31.</p>.<p>It does not give details of what new controls would be introduced, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already outlined plans for a points-based immigration system that prioritises migrants with high-skilled jobs.</p>.<p>The desire to control Britain's borders, namely ending the free movement of labour with the other 27 EU nations, was a key driver of the 2016 referendum vote to leave the bloc.</p>.<p>Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Monday that the new system would be "firmer, fairer and simpler", and would "play a vital role" in Britain's recovery from coronavirus.</p>.<p>But Nick Thomas-Symonds, from the main opposition Labour party, accused the government of alienating the people Britain relied on during the outbreak.</p>.<p>Migrants will be expected to earn at least £25,600 (28,600 euros, $31,200) a year under the new system, the government has said -- below the national median of £30,420, but more than many health and social care jobs are paid.</p>.<p>"It is rank hypocrisy towards our National Health Service (NHS) and care workers... to stand and clap for them on a Thursday night, and then tell them that they are not welcome in the UK on a Monday," Thomas-Symonds said.</p>.<p>He was referring to the weekly practice in Britain to applaud care workers for their work tackling the coronavirus.</p>.<p>Just over 13 per cent of staff in the state-run NHS have a non-British nationality, and 5.5 per cent are from other EU countries, according to official figures.</p>.<p>Patel noted the government has already introduced a fast-track visa for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.</p>.<p>In addition, it has promised an automatic one-year visa extension for frontline health and care workers already in Britain, whose visas are due to expire before October.</p>.<p>Labour and other opposition MPs voted against the bill in its first stage, but Johnson's Conservatives have a majority in the House of Commons, and it passed by 351 votes to 252.</p>.<p>Britain left the EU on January 31 after years of political wrangling over how to implement the result of the Brexit vote.</p>.<p>But it agreed a standstill transition with Brussels until the end of December, during which free movement continues, to allow the two sides to agree a new relationship.</p>.<p>Ireland will be exempt from the new immigration controls, due to a common travel area with Britain dating to before they both joined the EU in 1973.</p>
<p>British MPs on Monday gave their initial backing to legislation ending free movement of workers with the European Union, but the vote was overshadowed by a row over foreign healthcare staff and coronavirus.</p>.<p>The bill would abolish the special immigration status for citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland when a post-Brexit transition period expires on December 31.</p>.<p>It does not give details of what new controls would be introduced, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already outlined plans for a points-based immigration system that prioritises migrants with high-skilled jobs.</p>.<p>The desire to control Britain's borders, namely ending the free movement of labour with the other 27 EU nations, was a key driver of the 2016 referendum vote to leave the bloc.</p>.<p>Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Monday that the new system would be "firmer, fairer and simpler", and would "play a vital role" in Britain's recovery from coronavirus.</p>.<p>But Nick Thomas-Symonds, from the main opposition Labour party, accused the government of alienating the people Britain relied on during the outbreak.</p>.<p>Migrants will be expected to earn at least £25,600 (28,600 euros, $31,200) a year under the new system, the government has said -- below the national median of £30,420, but more than many health and social care jobs are paid.</p>.<p>"It is rank hypocrisy towards our National Health Service (NHS) and care workers... to stand and clap for them on a Thursday night, and then tell them that they are not welcome in the UK on a Monday," Thomas-Symonds said.</p>.<p>He was referring to the weekly practice in Britain to applaud care workers for their work tackling the coronavirus.</p>.<p>Just over 13 per cent of staff in the state-run NHS have a non-British nationality, and 5.5 per cent are from other EU countries, according to official figures.</p>.<p>Patel noted the government has already introduced a fast-track visa for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.</p>.<p>In addition, it has promised an automatic one-year visa extension for frontline health and care workers already in Britain, whose visas are due to expire before October.</p>.<p>Labour and other opposition MPs voted against the bill in its first stage, but Johnson's Conservatives have a majority in the House of Commons, and it passed by 351 votes to 252.</p>.<p>Britain left the EU on January 31 after years of political wrangling over how to implement the result of the Brexit vote.</p>.<p>But it agreed a standstill transition with Brussels until the end of December, during which free movement continues, to allow the two sides to agree a new relationship.</p>.<p>Ireland will be exempt from the new immigration controls, due to a common travel area with Britain dating to before they both joined the EU in 1973.</p>