The EU Settlement Scheme is ‘unfinished business’ – new report by Settled

The EU Settlement Scheme is ‘unfinished business’, according to a report into the needs of EU citizens living in the UK (attached to this email). 

Settled has released its latest report on life in the UK for EU citizens post-Brexit. Almost a year has passed since the deadline for EU citizens to secure their rights in the UK. Settled surveyed more than 600 EU citizens about their thoughts on the EU Settlement scheme and their perceptions of the security of their rights.

The survey shows that despite more than 5 million EU citizens securing either settled or pre-settled status under the scheme, there remain wide-spread anxieties about how secure their rights are in the UK.

• The top three concerns of EU citizens responding to our survey were; bringing family members to the UK, being allowed back in at the UK border after travelling abroad, and proving one’s immigration status.
• It is a common worry that the EUSS system might not work when needed, or that EU citizens will be discriminated against due to lack of understanding of how the scheme works among employers, landlords, banks, government departments and other service providers.
• EU citizens feel uncomfortable about having to prove their status repeatedly and at every stage for years to come and worry that everyday matters will become more difficult.
• They worry about bringing family members to the UK in the future, particularly elderly parents, and worry about financial implications and access to services.
• There is fear that the transition from the temporary pre-settled status to the preferable settled status will disadvantage those who cannot prove sufficient continuous residence or meet other requirements.
• It is clear that more effort is needed to alleviate fears EU citizens could lose their rights in the future and convince them that the UK still wants them to consider this country as their home.
• Survey comments reveal high levels of anxiety about substantial issues that EU citizens feel are outside their control. They need reassurance but also practical assistance and improvements in policy.

Settled provides four recommendations to the Home Office in order to tackle the wide-ranging concerns expressed by EU citizens, who were promised they would not lose their rights in the UK post-Brexit.

1. Provide reliable, easy-to-use and indisputable proof of status and certain access to rights and services.
2. Make acquiring status easier and smooth the path to citizenship.
3. Acknowledge and repair the anxiety and mistrust prevalent among EU citizens.
4. Ensure that support is readily available for EU citizens living under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Under the terms of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement 2019, EU citizens that were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 could retain their rights in the UK. But unless they hold British citizenship this would not be automatic – instead EU citizens needed to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme administered by the UK Home Office, before the deadline

of 30 June 2021. Even those with Indefinite Leave to Remain were advised to apply to the scheme in order to retain full rights.

Successful applicants receive settled status or (if they do no thave evidence of being in the UK for five years) pre-settled status. Settled/pre-settled status gives the right to live, work,

study, access services including healthcare, claim benefits and travel in and out of the UK freely. The grant of settled/pre-settled status is not accompanied by a physical document such as a residence permit. Instead, whenever EU citizens need to prove their right to be in the UK and exercise their rights, they complete an online process called ‘View

and Prove’. Pre-settled status is temporary and recipients need to re-apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to request settled status.

The latest Home Office statistics show that of the 5.75 million people who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, nearly 5.3 million people have obtained a grant of status. 

Kate Smart, Settled CEO said:

“Applying for the EUSS was not the end of the story for EU citizens who call the UK their home.

Now, on a daily basis they are having to prove their rights here, with the risk that sometimes the technology won’t work or that people won’t recognise and accept its validity.

They need a system that is easy to use and that works every time.

More steps at a high level of government are required to repair the mistrust and anxiety that EU citizens living in the UK feel.”

Sample open-question responses received from survey respondents:

“Long before the end of the transition period, I was already receiving “urgent” requests from the local authority and other places asking me to provide a ‘Home Office letter’ proving my immigration status.

Putting aside the stress of it all and the unlawfulness at the time of said requests, having to educate powerful LAs and organisations on EUSS – namely it’s a digital process with no Home Office letter – is truly frightening. Rights and processes no longer matter as anyone can make up requirements.”

“This is our home. If the rules change, and EUSS is withdrawn, I am frightened of what may happen.”

“[My fear is] Not being able to bring my father when old and frail and needing care.”