Funding to support vulnerable EU citizens in Scotland

• Up to £9 million has been made available for voluntary and community sector organisations to support vulnerable EU citizens
• More than 600,000 people have now applied to the EU Settlement Scheme 

Charities and voluntary organisations working in Scotland have begun rolling out practical support for vulnerable EEA and Swiss citizens to complete their EU Settlement Scheme applications after receiving funding from the Home Office.

The organisations in Scotland are Community Renewal Trust, Fife Migrants Forum, PKAVS Trading Company Limited, Positive Action in Housing, Simon Community Scotland, The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, FENIKS: Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services Ltd and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

These organisations receive a share of the £9 million available and their support is estimated to help more than 200,000 people across the UK, who may be marginalised or in need of extra help applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Those who may require additional support include 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.

We are funding 57 organisations across the UK to help vulnerable #EUCitizens apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. pic.twitter.com/hySIhcghyx

— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) May 28, 2019

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said: “EU citizens are our friends, family and neighbours, and we want them to stay.

“We have made the EU Settlement Scheme free and simple to use but it’s vital that everyone receives the support they need to apply.

“I am very pleased that EU citizens living in Scotland will have easily accessible help and support in order to make their application.”

Derek Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Scotland said: “Brexit is causing uncertainty for many people in Scotland, but particularly for those who are EU, EEA or Swiss citizens.

“This funding will allow us to reach out to disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community and we urge anyone who wants support applying to contact us.

“It is right that people who have lived in Scotland for years should be given support to apply and we are pleased to partner with the UK government – as well as with the Scottish government – in delivering this assistance.”

EU citizens applying to the Scheme only need to complete three key steps – prove their identity, show that they live in the UK, and declare any criminal convictions. Applicants can use any laptop, tablet or mobile device to apply.

Over the last year, Home Office officials have met with experts from more than 200 community groups, voluntary sector bodies and businesses nationwide that have strong local links with vulnerable EU citizens to inform them about the EU Settlement Scheme and to make sure that everyone is reached.

Additional support is also available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online. This includes more than 200 assisted digital locations across the UK – including 24 in Scotland – where applicants can be supported through their application.

The funding comes as the Home Office confirmed it had now received more than 600,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Deal or no deal, EU citizens will have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply.