Over 50,000 EU citizens apply to stay in Scotland following Brexit

‘Secure and confident’

MORE than 50,000 EU citizens living in Scotland have applied to stay in the country after Brexit, the Home Office has revealed.

A total of 51,600 people had sought the right to remain north of the Border through the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme by the end of July.

Across the UK as a whole, more than one million applications have been received.

The Home Office yesterday said that only 0.5 per cent of these had been rejected.

An estimated 230,000 EU citizens are currently living in Scotland, meaning that just over one-fifth have applied so far.

The Home Office figures for Scotland show the most applications for a single town or city – 11,210 – came from EU nationals living in Edinburgh, followed by Glasgow (7,730) and Aberdeen (4,830).

Regardless of whether or not the UK successfully leaves the European Union with a deal on or before October 31, EU citizens and their family members have until at least December 31, 2020 to apply to remain.

The settlement scheme requires applicants to prove their identity, show that they live in the UK, and declare any criminal convictions.

Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said yesterday: ‘The contribution made to Scottish life by EU citizens and their families is a huge one and my message to them is clear – we want you to stay.

‘Through the EU Settlement Scheme, it is free and straightforward to make an application and I am pleased that more than 50,000 already have done so.

‘We are looking to grant status under the scheme, not to refuse it.’

The Home Office said that support is available to all EU citizens who want to apply via phone, email or in person, in addition to 57 organisations helping vulnerable people including the homeless, disabled and elderly.

Hugh Hill, chief executive of Streetwork – which is part of the Simon Community homelessness charity – said: ‘We have received Home Office funding to help homeless and vulnerable people in Edinburgh to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

‘We have already helped more than 60 homeless people to secure their status which is great, and we’re looking forward to helping more people apply so that they feel secure and confident about their future here in Scotland.’