A new Government campaign has launched urging EU citizens living in the UK to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible.
The campaign went live last week ahead of the 30 June deadline to secure status in law.
The announcement comes as new statistics show that more than 5.4 million applications have been made to the EU Settlement Scheme, with more than 4.9 million grants of status, delivering on the UK Government’s promise to secure the rights in UK law of millions of EU citizens to continue living and working here, for years to come.
This includes more than 4.88 million applications from England, 268,500 from Scotland, 89,800 from Wales and 88,600 from Northern Ireland.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said:
“Every day, thousands of people are being granted status under the hugely successful EU Settlement Scheme, and I would urge people who are eligible to apply as soon as possible to secure the status they deserve in UK law.
“This new campaign will help us encourage those who need to apply to act now before the 30 June deadline. The Government is committed to making sure everybody eligible for the scheme can apply, including those who are the most vulnerable or need extra support.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:
“EU citizens are hugely important and valued, and we want them to continue to live and work here. We’re making this part of the process as simple as possible.
“More than 268,500 have already applied in Scotland, and I want to encourage anyone yet to do so to get the ball rolling. Help is available 7 days a week if needed.”
Welsh Secretary Simon Hart said:
“The contribution of EU citizens in Wales is hugely valued, so we’re making sure this part of the settlement process is as simple as possible.
“Almost 90,000 people have already applied in Wales, and with the June deadline approaching, it’s important that everyone eligible for the scheme gets the ball rolling in time. Help is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day if needed.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis said:
“This is an essential scheme that ensures EU citizens can continue to work and live in the United Kingdom, delivering on the government’s promise to secure the rights of EU nationals.
“88,600 thousand people have applied in Northern Ireland, enabling them to continue to contribute to Northern Ireland’s vibrant society and economy. I would encourage everyone eligible to apply, ahead of the 30 June deadline.”
The campaign will ensure EU citizens and their family members are aware of the deadline and know they need to apply, with targeted adverts soon to appear on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, as well as on catch up TV and radio.
It will stress the importance of making an application to the scheme before the deadline. It will also remind people an application must be made for every eligible child within a family and that parents should apply on behalf of their children, even if they have already applied and been granted a status themselves.
To date, nearly £8 million has been invested in public communications on the EUSS.
The campaign will support the Home Office’s network of 72 grant-funded organisations, who continue to provide support to help vulnerable and hard to reach individuals and groups apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. This includes victims of human trafficking or domestic abuse, those with severe mental health conditions, those without a permanent address, and those who are elderly or isolated.
The Home Office also has a dedicated team of more than 1,500 people working on the EU Settlement Scheme, with support available seven days a week by telephone and by email. The EU Settlement Scheme uses cutting edge technology, including the EU Exit: ID Document Check app, which allows people to apply from the comfort of their own home in as little as 15 minutes.
The deadline to apply to the scheme is 30 June 2021.
