The 76-page document comes after the House of Commons voted to allow prime minister, Theresa May, to begin the Brexit process.

The document, entitled ‘The United Kingdom’s Exit from, and New Partnership with, the European Union’, mirrors the 12 principles set out by the Prime Minister to guide EU exit negotiations in her speech at Lancaster House on 17 January.

These are: 

1. Providing certainty and clarity
2. Taking control of our own laws
3. Strengthening the Union
4. Protecting our strong and historic ties with Ireland and maintaining the Common Travel Area
5. Controlling immigration
6. Securing rights for EU nationals in the UK, and UK nationals in the EU
7. Protecting workers' rights
8. Ensuring free trade with european markets
9. Securing new trade agreements with other countries
10. Ensuring the UK remains the best place for science and innovation
11. Cooperating in the fight against crime and terrorism
12. Delivering a smooth, orderly exit from the EU

The White Paper notes that the time needed to phase in new arrangements in different areas may vary and confirms plans for a seperate White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill which will ensure certainty when transferring EU law into UK law.

There are 1m UK nationals living elsewhere in Europe with some 2.5m EU citizens here in the UK. The white paper states: 'We will work to deliver a practical solution that allows for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, whilst protecting the integrity of our immigration system and which protects our strong ties with Ireland.' This is a key plank of the negotiation talks and the UK is looking for an equitable discussion on this issue. This is a major concern for businesses alongside the future trade and customs union status post-Brexit. 

It adds: 'In future, therefore, the Free Movement Directive will no longer apply and the migration of EU nationals will be subject to UK law.

'We are considering very carefully the options that are open to us to gain control of the numbers of people coming to the UK from the EU. As part of that, it is important that we understand the impacts on the different sectors of the economy and the labour market.

David Davis, secretary of state for exiting the EU said: ' The White Paper confirms the Prime Minister’s vision of an independent, truly global UK and an ambitious future relationship with the EU. This is based on the 12 principles that will guide the government in fulfilling the democratic will of the people of the UK.

'These 12 objectives amount to one goal: a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union, that works in our mutual interest. It is in the UK’s interest for the EU to succeed politically and economically. And so we approach the negotiation to come in a spirit of goodwill and working to an outcome in our mutual benefit.'

Meantime, the  Article 50 Bill will face more debate before it becomes law although it was voted through in principle on 1 February, with an overwhelming majority and it seems highly unlikely that the House of Lords would obstruct its passage. The government aims to trigger Article 50 by 31 March 2017.

The White Paper: The United Kingdom's Exit from, and New Partnership with, the European Union is here. 

Futher reading

May's 12-point plan for leaving the European Union can be read here: https://www.cchdaily.co.uk/breaking-mays-12-point-plan-leaving-european-union

Reporting by Amy Austin, Sara White