Almost 2 million apply for EU settled status

Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced that there have so far been 1.8 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The scheme applies to EU citizens and their family members if they wish to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Applicants must prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions, and have until December 2020 to apply.

Government statistics show that more than 1.8 million applications have been received, and 1.5 million of these have been granted status up to the end of September 2019.

Of these, more than 1.7 million came from EU citizens in England, 92,700 from Scotland, 29,300 from Wales and 28,700 from Northern Ireland.

The highest number of applications have been from Polish, Romanian and Italian citizens, with more than 345,000 Polish citizens applying.

Patel said: “EU citizens have made a huge contribution to this country and will play a key role in cementing Britain’s status as an outward-looking, global leader after Brexit.

“That is why I am thrilled that we have had 2 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme so that EU citizens can secure their immigration status under UK law.”

The government will now host a number of events across the country to raise awareness of settled status requirements on a local level. The Home Office also plans to continue its £4 million marketing campaign to encourage EU citizens to apply.

Nicolas Hatton, co-founder of campaign group the3million, said the spike in applications in September was because the UK government had “instilled fear” among EU citizens with talk of a no-deal Brexit.