A survey of almost 4000 people in these four Commonwealth nations, has found that there is massive support for a European Union-style system of free movement between these countries.
Seventy per cent of Australians were in favour of the idea of the ‘migration bloc’ with only one in ten opposed. Support was stronger among Canadians (75 per cent), New Zealanders (82 per cent) and people under the age of 35.
Tim Hewish, author of the report and director of policy and research at the Royal Commonwealth Society, told The Guardian that there was clearly “immense support” from Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders for the freedom to live and work in the UK.
“Collectively we possess a unique bond which needs protecting. We share a language, a legal system, and a Queen.” Tim Hewish, Royal Commonwealth Society.
The policy however was least popular among UK nationals with support at 58 per cent. This is despite the fact that there are more UK nationals in the other three countries than there are the nationals of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, in the UK.
Policies in the UK are currently moving in the opposite direction and aiming to restrict work rights of foreigners. According to a report in The Guardian, from 6 April, all skilled workers from outside the European Union who have been in the UK for less than 10 years will need to earn at least £35,000 a year in order to qualify for a Tier 2 visa and settle there permanently.
Australians and New Zealanders in the UK for six months or more will also be required to pay an annual surcharge of £200 (A$380 and NZ$426) to access some health services.