By Lucy Caulkett-
The Home Office has referred to EU citizens in the Uk as ”our friends”- a positive tone of friendship, as they encouraged more EU citizens in the Uk to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Minister of State for Security and Deputy for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation Brandon Lewis spoke on behalf of the Home Office who today put out a press release . He said : ”EU citizens are our friends, family and neighbours and we want them to stay. It is fantastic news that there have been two million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme’.
His welcoming comments followed an announcement by Home Secretary, Pritti Patel that there had been 2 million applications to join the European Settlement Scheme.
STRAIGHTFORWARD
The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to make it straightforward for EU citizens and their family members to stay after the UK leaves the EU.
EU citizens in the Uk only need to complete three key steps to be eligible for settled status in the Uk . They first need to prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions. EU citizens and their family members have until at least December 2020 to apply.
STATUS
The latest official statistics on the EU Settlement Scheme show that more than 1,800,000 applications had been received for settled status, and more than 1,500,000 had been granted status up to the end of September 2019, providing them with an immigration status under UK law.
The statistics also show that more than 1,700,000 applications had been received from EU citizens in England, 92,700 from Scotland, 29,300 from Wales and 28,700 from Northern Ireland. The highest number of applications are from Polish, Romanian and Italian citizens, with more than 345,000 To
EU citizens and their family members have until 2020 to apply. All they need to complete three key steps, prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions. EU citizens and their family members have until at least December 2020 to apply.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
EU citizens have made a huge contribution to this country and will play a key role in cementing Britain’s status as an outward-looking, global leader after Brexit.
That is why I am thrilled that we have had 2 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme so that EU citizens can secure their immigration status under UK law.
To help raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme at a local level, the Home Office is holding a series of innovative pop-up events across the UK where staff will answer questions and help people to apply in person.
Home Office Minister Brandon Lewis attended the launch in Great Yarmouth on Friday 6 September 2019 and future events are planned for Aberdeen, Glasgow, Tower Hamlets, Nottingham, Leeds and Birmingham.
The Home Office will also be launching further advertising activity in the coming weeks to build upon its existing £4 million marketing campaign to encourage EU citizens to apply.