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<p>Our first priority in negotiations was to reach a deal on citizens’ rights, which
we did in December. This gives certainty to those EU citizens living in the UK, and
UK nationals living in the EU, that they can continue living their lives broadly as
now.</p><p> </p><p>The joint agreement reached in December confirmed a shared desire
to make progress on an implementation period; and that sufficient progress had been
made to progress to phase two of negotiations for exiting the EU.</p><p> </p><p>Business
optimism is driven by confidence in the long-term performance of the economy. Recent
CBI survey’s report that UK business confidence remains positive and business investment
has continued to grow in recent quarters. The Industrial Strategy, published by my
right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
last year, sets out a long-term vision of an economy that boosts productivity and
earning power throughout the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Our focus now has to be on getting
the right deal for the implementation period – the period immediately following the
UK’s exit next March.</p><p> </p><p>As you would expect, the Government is considering
a range of options for the future immigration system and we will set out initial plans
in the coming months. That is why we have commissioned the independent Migration Advisory
Committee (MAC) to gather evidence on patterns of EU migration and the role of migration
in the wider economy, ahead of our exit from the EU.</p>
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