Help for workers to stay

Stirling Council is assuring employees from other parts of the European Union they will receive support to stay on after Brexit.

The council’s finance committee heard last week those council employees affected - the numbers of which had dropped significantly since the EU referendum - would be offered help.

However, there could still be an impact on people employed by companies contracted by the local authority.

The council’s chief governance officer Iain Strachan told councillors:“The council has been keen to ensure it can support the welfare and needs of non-UK EU nationals within the council.

“In particular, the council has recognised the potential uncertainty faced by such colleagues as to immigration status, and leave to remain and work in the UK following the UK’s exit from the EU.”

Mr Strachan said an audit of employee records in March 2017 by human resources had found there were 94 members of staff recorded as coming from non UK EU countries.

However, a more recent review had seen the figure drop to 29.

He added:“Sixteen of these are from Ireland and there will be no requirement for those individuals to obtain settled status, therefore 13 employees will be contacted to enquire about their plans and to offer support. The employees will