The Home Office has announced that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland.
According to newly released official statistics up to the end of December 2019,
The top four nationalities in Scotland are Polish (47,160), Italian (11,000), Romanian (10,850) and Spanish (9,210).
The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to make it straightforward for EU citizens and their family members to stay after the UK leaves the EU – guaranteeing their rights in UK law.
To apply they only need to complete three key steps – prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions.
Security Minister Brandon Lewis said: “It’s brilliant that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland.
“EU citizens are an integral part of our society, culture and community and the scheme guarantees their rights in UK law. It’s free, straightforward and I encourage all EU citizens living in Scotland to apply today.”
Internal figures show that there have been more than three million applications to the scheme less than a year since it was fully launched to the public.
A wide range of support is available online, over the phone and in person to help EU citizens apply. There are more than 1,500 Home Office staff working on the EU Settlement Scheme with 250 based in Liverpool at the Settlement Resolution Centre supporting applicants with any questions about the scheme or who need help applying.
There are also more than 50 voluntary and community sector organisations – funded by the Home Office – which have helped hundreds of thousands of vulnerable EU citizens including the homeless, the elderly and victims of domestic abuse. This includes Community Renewal Trust, Simon Community Scotland and the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux based in Scotland.
One of these organisations is PKAVS, who are supporting EU citizens in Perth and Kinross to apply to the scheme. On Thursday 6 February 2020, PKAVS are hosting a community event where representatives from the Home Office, Perth & Kinross Council, Perth Citizens Advice Bureau and the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre can answer the local community’s questions about the scheme.
Paul Graham, Chief Executive of PKAVS said: “We are pleased to be working with the Home Office to support vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross with their applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.
“We have helped approximately 900 people since Summer 2019 through our free helpline, our events programme, and individual support for those who need it most.”
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