Lords Committee write to Government to raise concerns about EU Settlement Scheme
The House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee has written to Immigration Minister Kevin Foster to raise concerns about the operation of the EU Settlement Scheme for vulnerable people including victims of domestic abuse and children in social
In its letter to the Minister the Committee acknowledge that the scheme is working well for many people but says that as it is based on a requirement to provide proof of nationality and residency it may be unsuitable for some of groups of vulnerable people.
The Committee asks the Minister to provide assurances on a number of key issues including:
- What steps have the Government taken to inform potential applicants of alternative arrangements if they do not have access to documentation to prove their residency or nationality – for example if they have removed themselves from abusive relationships and a former partner holds their documentation?
- How many children have yet to apply for the scheme and what is the Government doing to ensure parents understand they may need to apply even for children born in the UK?
- Do local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure all children in their care secure appropriate immigrations/nationality status? How will the Government ensure children in care access the specialist support they require?
- Will people with ‘pre-settled status' the same access to services and benefits they had before Brexit?
- How many peoples does the Government estimate will find themselves without a legal right to remain in the UK on1 July 2021?
Read the letter on the Committee's webpage
