THERESA May’s offer of UK residency rights for European Union citizens following Brexit has been given a cautious welcome in East Lancashire.

Politicians of all parties agree it is a sensible first step but are concerned about its longer-term impact.

Under Prime Minister proposals outlined at a Brussels summit on Thursday, all EU nationals resident in the UK for five years have the same rights as British citizens to healthcare, education, benefits and pensions.

Those with a shorter period of residency would have a ‘grace period’ to regularise their status.

Pendle Tory MP Andrew Stephenson said: "This is excellent news providing stability and reassurance for the many EU citizens living and working in the UK.

“I now hope that the EU will reciprocate with a similar offer for the many British citizens living in Europe.”

UKIP’s Cllr Malcolm Pritchard, who represents Milnshaw ward on Hyndburn council said: “This is a sensible offer but now we need the same in return for our nationals in the EU.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said: “This is better than nothing but I don’t think it goes far enough, especially terms of workers from the EU who contribute to vital services in East Lancashire like the NHS.”

Her Hyndburn Labour Parliamentary colleague Graham Jones said: “It’s a start but this is a sensitive issue in view of the impact of EU immigration on wages in building sites and factories.

“Free movement of low-skilled Labour has to stop.”

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, leader of Burnley council’s Liberal Democrats group, said: “This is a sensible compromise.”

He added: “We now need the same offer for British citizens resident in the EU.”

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said.Mrs May’s proposal was ‘a first step, but not sufficient’.