EU citizens across the district can count on B&NES support in dealing with their applications to a scheme which will allow them to continue living in the UK.
A letter from council leader, Councillor Dine Romero, is going out to EU citizens who are on the council’s open electoral register, reminding them about the EU Settlement Scheme and how to get support and advice.
The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU citizens, and their EU and non-EU family members to get the immigration status they need to continue to live, work and study in the UK and remain eligible for access to public services. The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
Applications to the scheme can only be made online and the council is offering assistance with document verification.
Councillor Dine Romero, Council Leader, said: “EU nationals are our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours. They are part of our community and we want them to stay. We recognise it’s upsetting and stressful to have to ‘apply’ to stay in a country which is your home and which you had the right to come to under EU law.
“We are trying to reach out to as many EU citizens living in Bath and North East Somerset as possible to ensure they know about the EU Settlement Scheme and what they need to do to submit their application.
“We will be advertising the scheme as widely as possible and I am writing to all our European Citizens on our open electoral register to highlight the advice and support that is available. We are also offering individual support with the identity verification part of the process.
“As a local authority, we have a crucial role in supporting residents, including those who are vulnerable and hard-to-reach and making sure they have all the information and support they need to stay living in the UK. This campaign to raise awareness is very important and I encourage other organisations to share it on their networks.”
More information about the scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/eu-settled-status
The council can provide supporting with verifying documents, for more details follow this link: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/births-marriages-and-deaths/citizenship/eu-settlement-scheme-document-verification-service
