The rights of EU citizens living in the UK – as well as the rights of UK citizens living in the EU – is a matter that I have taken and continue to take incredibly seriously as Eastleigh’s Member of Parliament, raising questions in Parliament, meeting with constituents both in Parliament as well as locally in the constituency, as well as meeting with Ministers on their behalf. My team have also supported constituents through the new settlement process and as ever will be there to continue that work. 

The Prime Minister recently gave an unequivocal guarantee to the 3.2 million EEA and Swiss citizens and their families living and working in the UK that under this government they will have the absolute certainty of the right to live and remain here. I was very pleased the new PM did this swiftly and it was greatly welcomed. 

Building on this, earlier this month the Minister of State for Security, Brandon Lewis MP, made clear this Government’s continued support for EU citizens, writing that the EU Settlement Scheme offers them the security they require, enabling them to continue living in the UK after we leave the EU, with the same rights to work, study and access benefits and services as they have now. The secure online status granted to them under the Scheme will make it quick, easy and convenient for them to evidence their rights at any point in the future.

The Minister also made clear that while the UK is leaving the EU on the 31st October, deal or no deal, EEA and Swiss citizens will have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. This process is quick and straightforward, and I welcome that the Government is putting significant resources into ensuring that those that haven’t already applied to the scheme have the opportunity to do so and if required are supported through the process. 

Please see attached the full letter addressed by the Security Minister. Should you have any queries that you would like me to raise with the Minister on your behalf, then please don’t hesitate to contact me.

If you are looking to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, you can do so by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

Kind Regards,

Mims

Mims Davies MP

Member of Parliament for Eastleigh