There is less than a month before the government’s controversial application scheme, which was introduced in response to the UK leaving the EU, closes.

Once an EU citizen has applied to the EUSS, they will be granted Settled Status provided they have lived in the UK for five years. Those who have not will be granted PreSettled Status and will need to apply again to claim Settled Status once they reach five years.

The date of 30 June will mean that from one day to the next, thousands of EU nationals could, unbeknown to them, become illegal immigrants and potentially could lose their rights to live, work, rent and access benefits and services, including healthcare, in the UK.

Critics of the scheme have said that the most marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society face the greatest risk of slipping through the cracks. With the application process purely digital and with government awareness campaigns run only on mainstream media, charities have warned that these factors could alienate and exclude residents who consume news elsewhere and those who have low digital and literacy skills.

One major group likely to be affected are elderly residents who are long-established in the UK. Children are another at-risk group as many parents are unaware that they need to make a separate application. As for children in care, they are dependent on the Council to be applying on their behalf. If an adult doesn’t register a child through negligence, then that child could lose their legal rights through no fault of their own.

Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, said: “I encourage all Newham residents from the EU to urgently apply to the EUSS before the 30th of June if they wish to stay in the UK. The deadline is strict and I don’t want to see my constituents lose their right to live and work in Newham due to a lack of awareness of the scheme.”

The Renewal Programme, a charity in East Ham, is part of the consortium of 10 Newham organisations and charities who have launched the ‘Stay Settled in Newham’ campaign, to raise awareness and to provide advice and support. With the deadline looming and awareness still low amongst vulnerable groups, they are urging EU residents to get in touch for support in their applications. After the 30th June, those who have not applied will become undocumented.

Visit www.renewalprogramme.org.uk, email staysettledinnewham@gmail.com or call the helpline on 0808 196 3510 for advice and support.

EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member Please note, if you have children, you still need to apply for them separately. Each child will need their own application.

What you need to know to apply

Who should apply?

You need to apply if:

You are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
You are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen but your family member is.

You need to apply even if you:

were born in the UK but are not a British citizen
have a UK ‘permanent residence document’
are a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who does not need to apply – including if they’re from Ireland
are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member

Please note, if you have children, you still need to apply for them separately. Each child will need their own application.

When to apply?

Applications must be made before 30th June 2021.

How to apply?

Apply for free on the Government website:

http://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

EU residents in Newham: the facts

Approx population of Newham: 364,346*
Approx 62,000 residents in Newham are from the EU, which accounts for over 17 per cent of the Borough’s total population.

In Newham, from 28 August 2018 to 31 December 2020, Home Office figures claim that:

117,360 applications have been made to the Home Office for Newham
- It is the local authority with the most applications in the country, followed by Brent (100,510 applications) and Birmingham (94,760).
Highest proportions of applications by nationality in Newham:
- 30 per cent from Romania
- 14 per cent Italy
- 8.5 per cent Non-EEA
- 8 per cent Lithuania
- 7 per cent Portugal
- 6 per cent Bulgaria
- 5.8 per cent Spain
- 5 per cent Poland
48,930 (45 per cent of total concluded applications) people have been granted Settled Status
55,670 (52 per cent of total concluded applications) people granted Pre-Settled Status and will need to apply again over next 5 years
Of the 117,360 applications made: 15per cent applications for the under 18s, 84 per cent for 18-64 year olds and 1 per cent for those aged 65+.

*Stats are dated from 2019 from Newham website: https://www.newham.info/population/

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