The EU's plan will not be binding upon Britain

EU Immigration Proposals Could Lead to Conflict

A few weeks after Tony Blair insisted that Britain must retain control over its immigration policy and borders, the EU is proposing to give non-EU citizens and their families rights to apply for residency.

The plan was put forward by Anita Gradin, the EU's Justice Commissioner, under existing rules agreed before the Amsterdam Summit in June - when Mr Blair firmly laid out Britain's position on borders and immigration.

But the plan cannot be forced upon Britain and could be junked if a compromise is not reached. The consent of all 15 member states is required for the plan to be binding.

Moreover, it can take several years for such proposals from Brussels to be incorporated into national law. Ministers are likely to take their time in considering the plan.

The plan would allow non-EU citizens who have lived in member states for more than five years to apply for residency and invite their families to join them. Once residency is granted, family members would be allowed to work in within the EU after living in the country for six months.

Gradin said that 13 million non-EU citizens live in the EU. More than one million enter every year. However, the plan does not cover asylum seekers.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Proposals can only be adopted if all member states are happy with them. We will continue to have national control over our immigration policy."