PKAVS settlement aid hailed

A Perth charity has been praised for the help it provides to EU citizens.

PKAVS helps support 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, apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

It is one of 57 organisations across the UK to benefit from £17 million in funding to help vulnerable EU citizens apply to the scheme, having already provided support to 1700 residents in Perth and Kinross.

The UK minister for future borders and immigration Kevin Foster virtually met the charity to commend it for its work.

He said:“Charities like PKAVS in

Perth and Kinross, which the Home Office has funded, have been doing a superb job providing support to ensure vulnerable EU citizens are able to secure their status.”

Chief executive of PKAVS Paul Graham said:“We at PKAVS are delighted to host a virtual visit from the minister, and welcome the opportunity to share some of the great outcomes we have been able to achieve for local EU citizens through our partnership with the Home Office.

“PKAVS Minority Communities Hub has been supporting people from around the world who have chosen to make Perth and Kinross their home for over 10 years.

“Through assisting EU citizens to apply for and secure their settled status, we are proud to play our part to support the enormous contribution EU citizens make to the social, economic and cultural vibrancy of Perth and Kinross and the UK as a whole.

“We would like to thank the Home Office for its excellent support throughout the EU Settlement Scheme process, which has helped PKAVS to empower 1700 people to understand and apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.”

The Home Office previously supported an event to raise awareness of the scheme which was led by PKAVS in February 2020.

For more information about PKAVS, go to https://www.pkavs. org.uk/