Jeremy Corbyn says PM's plan for EU citizens is 'too little, too late'

Labour leader says May should have made guarantees immediately after Brexit vote rather than waiting for negotiations

Theresa May's proposals to preserve the rights of 3 million EU citizens living in the UK have been condemned by Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition MPs as "too little, too late". The Labour leader said guarantees should have been made directly after the vote to leave the European Union last year rather than waiting until "complex and delicate" trade negotiations began.

All 3 million EU citizens resident in Britain will have to apply to be on a "settled status" identity register after Brexit, under Home Office proposals about their future rights released today. A 15-page policy paper proposes a new "light-touch" online system to process applications that will give applicants the same "indefinite leave to remain" status as many non-European nationals who have also lived in Britain for five years.