EU citizens living in Scotland are to be supported to remain in Scotland during and beyond the uncertainty associated with an EU exit, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The First Minister made a commitment to EU citizens that Scotland remains their home as she promised to continue to make a strong case for their rights to be protected in any EU exit scenario.
She has written an open letter to EU citizens to confirm a new ‘Stay in Scotland’ package that will consist of:
- £250,000 for community based support across Scotland
- a support and advice service for EU citizens with more complex needs or particular challenges
- a toolkit for employers, including posters, factsheets, digital content and guide directing EU citizens to further guidance
- social media activity using the hashtag #StayinScotland
It follows the Scottish Government, along with others, successfully pushing the UK Government to scrap the £65 “settled status” fee.
Today FM @NicolaSturgeon launched a new campaign to encourage EU citizens to #StayinScotland.
As the UK prepares to leave the EU, we want all EU citizens living here to know that you are valued and welcome here.
Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/5r2YiGSc1Y pic.twitter.com/xxHrdsKCtq
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) April 5, 2019
The First Minister made the announcement as she visited a new £14 million housing development in Easterhouse, meeting construction workers and housing association staff from EU nations.
She said: “It is vital for our communities and our economy that EU nationals know they are welcome and will be supported to stay in Scotland.
“Immediately after the EU referendum I wrote to EU citizens living in Scotland highlighting that Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU and that I considered them to be very much part of the fabric of this country.
“I am writing again today with the same message: you are welcome here, you contribute to this country’s diversity and richness and we will do everything we can to help you to stay.
“We will continue to argue for further change as necessary to the UK Government’s Settlement Scheme. And we will provide practical advice directly and through businesses and community groups.”
Commenting MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said: “It is important to make clear that EU citizens will always remain welcome in Edinburgh, and I will continue to do all I can to help people stay in Scotland.
“It’s wrong for the UK government to oblige EU citizens who have built their lives in Scotland, and who contribute massively to our economy and communities, to apply for the continued right to remain in their own homes.
“With absolutely no clarity from Westminster, this announcement from the First Minister will provide welcome support for EU citizens in across Scotland.
“I’d like to urge anyone who has issues or concerns they would like to discuss with me to please get in touch.”
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