The Scottish government will deploy more than £20,000 (€22,842.12) to support EU citizens in Scotland negotiating settled status after Brexit.
The funding will enable the EU Citizens’ Rights Project, which provides advice and support for EU citizens in Scotland, to partner with Settled, a new charity established to help vulnerable EU citizens applying to the UK government’s EU Settlement Scheme; in order to implement an advice and support network across Scotland. Under the partnership, a network of volunteer advisers will be recruited, to deliver assistance to EU citizens through existing support groups and service organisations.
Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the EU Citizens’ Rights Project, said: “This further support from the Scottish government will help us to reach the many EU citizens in Scotland who have not yet secured settled status. Once we have recruited and trained volunteers, we expect to be able to provide more support throughout Scotland, particularly in more remote areas.”
Settled trustee Nicolas Hatton said: “I am delighted the Scottish government is investing in our outreach programme to vulnerable EU citizens living in Scotland. Together with the Citizens’ Rights Project, we aim at leaving no-one behind, thus building a network of volunteers to guide, support and assist those who would struggle to apply for settled status because of their circumstances. The declaration by the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis that EU citizens without a settled status could be deported after Brexit last week made it clear that we must do our utmost to help those at risk.”
The new tranche of funding will complement services provided by Citizens’ Advice Scotland to EU citizens in Scotland applying for settlement; while the government intends to relaunch its Stay in Scotland campaign, aimed at encouraging EU citizens to remain in Scotland after Brexit, later this week.
Scottish Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: “People who’ve settled in Scotland from elsewhere in the EU significantly enrich our society and make a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy and public services. They’re our friends, neighbours and colleagues and we really want them to stay. I am extremely concerned about the UK government’s approach to [its] EU Settlement Scheme; and particularly their lack of engagement with those with complex needs. That is why we are funding the EU Citizens’ Rights Project and new charity Settled to jointly target vulnerable community groups across Scotland with advice and support. It is disgraceful that the UK Government is compelling EU citizens to apply to retain their existing rights; and we continue to urge the Prime Minister to fulfil his previous commitment and proactively guarantee people’s rights in law instead, by implementing a declaratory system.”
