Picture copyright PA Media Two milli
Picture copyright
PA Media
Two million EU residents dwelling within the UK have been granted settled standing – permitting them to stay right here completely after Brexit.
One other 4,600 purposes have been refused, 36,500 have been withdrawn and 34,900 have been made by people who find themselves not eligible for the scheme.
In response to the figures, the Liberal Democrats referred to as for EU residents to be robotically given a proper to remain.
They are saying there’s a danger of “a brand new Windrush-style scandal.”
The Windrush scandal meant some British residents from Commonwealth nations have been unable to show their proper to be within the UK, leaving them with out work and entry to advantages – and main, in some instances, to folks being wrongly deported.
The social gathering says profitable settlement scheme candidates must be given bodily documented proof of their everlasting go away to stay, to keep away from them experiencing related issues.
The figures additionally present {that a} additional 1.5m folks, who’ve been within the UK for lower than 5 years, have been given pre-settled standing.
They will apply for everlasting residency after they go the 5 yr threshold.
‘Windrush on steroids’
EU residents have till 30 June 2021 to use for the settlement scheme, which is operated by the House Workplace. Nonetheless, these granted settled standing don’t obtain any bodily documentation.
The Liberal Democrats’ house affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine stated thousands and thousands of EU residents within the UK have been “dwelling underneath a cloud of uncertainty.”
She stated the figures for pre-settled standing and rejected purposes present the “scheme is something however automated.”
“And with out bodily proof of their rights, EU residents will probably be on the mercy of the Conservatives’ hostile surroundings. They need to not turn out to be the victims of a brand new Windrush-style scandal,” she added.
The3million, a marketing campaign group representing EU residents within the UK, echoed the warning, citing the potential for a “Windrush on steroids” if EU residents’ proper to stay isn’t “enshrined in laws.”
Immigration minister Kevin Foster stated EU residents have been an “integral a part of UK society” and three.5 million had already secured their rights in UK regulation,
He stated there may be “loads of time left to use” earlier than the deadline, including that there’s “a variety of assist is obtainable on-line, over the phone and in particular person should you want it.”