No, the first is the means to the second.

Although the Labour and Plaid Cymru White Paper calls for full and unfettered access to the EU single market, and although EU rules make this impossible after border control is restored to the UK, this is not inconsistent with the UK Government’s desire for a free trade deal without membership. The Prime Minister has been very clear that she wants a bespoke deal that works for the whole of the UK, embracing the most tariff and barrier-free trade possible with our European partners. In apparent recognition of the need for a bespoke deal, the First Minister told the external affairs committee yesterday that he was not suggesting that the Norwegian migration model was 100 per cent fit for the UK, but, rather, that there were other options. And, as the UK Government has said, ‘We have an open mind on how we do it.’

EU nationals can claim the right to permanent residence, without any conditions, if they’ve lived here legally for five years continuously. Whilst the UK remains in the EU, EU nationals here continue to have the same rights as now. The Prime Minister has also been clear that she wants to protect the status of EU nationals here, as do we, and she says the only circumstances that would not be possible are if UK citizens’ rights in other EU member states are not protected in return.