The Government has responded to the GSD’s criticism of Gibraltar’s new residency rules.

A statement from the Government follows below:

HM Government of Gibraltar considers the GSD's latest statement on the new residency policy to be a textbook example of opposition for opposition's sake. 

The Government shared the policy with the Opposition five days before publication, giving them the opportunity to raise any concerns before it was announced. They raised none. The policy was then published in full, yet the GSD waited almost another week before choosing to issue its statement. 

It is therefore surprising that the GSD now seeks to present the policy as a serious risk to Gibraltar's economy, its links with Britain and its wider strategic interests. 

If these concerns were genuinely held, they should have been raised when the policy was shared with the Opposition, or at the very least immediately after publication. 

It is remarkable that they were not! 

The purpose of the new residency criteria is clear. They are designed to ensure that residence in Gibraltar is linked to genuine contribution, proper employment, adequate means, suitable accommodation, lawful conduct and the protection of public services. 

The Government rejects the suggestion that the policy is anti-British or anti-business. British nationals who come to Gibraltar to work, invest, contribute to the economy and form part of our community will continue to be a crucial part of Gibraltar's economic fabric. The policy also includes appropriate flexibility to deal with genuine cases where Gibraltar's economic interests require it. 

Indeed, the Government has consulted with the Convent and the FCDO on the new proposed rules. At no time has it been suggested by any party that these necessary and proportionate changes are anti-British in any way. They are not. 

The Government also rejects the suggestion that these rules give Spain greater leverage over Gibraltar. The opposite is true. A clear and properly managed residency framework strengthens Gibraltar's ability to decide who may reside here and on what terms. 

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo KC MP, said: 

"The GSD had this policy before publication and said nothing. It was then published, and they said nothing for a further week. It is therefore difficult to take seriously the suggestion that they suddenly regard it as a major risk to Gibraltar. 

"This policy is not anti-British, anti-business or anti-growth. It is a sensible and responsible framework to ensure that residency in Gibraltar is linked to genuine contribution and that our public services are properly protected.

"We will continue to welcome British citizens, investors, workers and others who come to Gibraltar to contribute positively. But we will also ensure that residency is managed in the interests of Gibraltar and its people. 

"This is yet another example of a party with no ideas and no vision, opposing a sensible policy simply because it has been introduced by us. 

"The £37,500 per annum income figure for new residency of any nationality who want to reside and work in Gibraltar will have a beneficial impact on the economy, contrary to what Mr Azopardi believes. 

"The GSD has incidentally never, in the last 14 years, produced a policy on the management of the economy in any annual budget. 

"In fact, the UK has a similar threshold for work and residence permit into the UK. "In Gibraltar there will be exceptions to the thresholds allowed in specific cases where there is a need. 

"Increasing our population with new people on low wages, which is what Mr Azopardi advocates, reduces the average tax yield and increases the pressure on public services. 

"This is detrimental to economic development and the delivery of public services which would be reduced in quality without increased cost to the taxpayers generally. 

"Mr Azopardi is wrong, wrong, wrong in the approach he is proposing, and his ideas are a danger to the public services our people enjoy today!"