April 2020
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for writing to me about the EU Settlement Scheme. All read carefully and noted by me.
I appreciate that you have concerns about the future of EU citizens in the UK. I can assure you that the EU Settlement Scheme protects EU citizens’ rights and provides those citizens with an immigration status under UK law.
The new system for obtaining settled status is streamlined, user-friendly and draws on existing Government data to minimise the burden on applicants to provide evidence. Applications will not be refused on minor technicalities without the applicant being given the opportunity to rectify them, and caseworkers considering applications will exercise discretion in favour of the applicant where appropriate. As a result, the Home Office has said it expects the vast majority of cases to be granted, with refusals most likely to be because of serious criminality or if the person is not an EU citizen (or family member). Once obtained, people will be able to be absent from the UK for up to five years without losing their settled status. This is more than double the level of absence allowed under current EU law.
I welcome the news that there have been more than 3 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. This milestone sends an important message to EU citizens: you are our friends and we want you to stay.
Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord
Member of Parliament for Woking