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MEPs and the European Commission have raised concerns about the rollout of Britain’s “settled status” scheme for EU nationals, following reports of difficulties with applications and a warning from a UK minister last year that those who do not apply in time could be deported.
EU citizens and their families already living in the UK have until June 2021 to apply for settled status which gives them permanent residence even after the transition period — the arrangement that maintains the UK’s current trading and security arrangements with the EU — until December this year.
Michel Barnier last month wrote to UK Brexit minister Stephen Barclay to warn that early experience with the settlement scheme had “brought to the surface possible issues of concern”. He urged action to “rapidly address any practical issue that could arise.” The letter was first reported by the Daily Telegraph.
[...]The European Parliament is set to adopt a resolution next week calling on the UK to fully honour its commitments.
The draft resolution, seen by the Financial Times, says the MEPs “will take into account experience gained and assurances given” on the settlement scheme when they vote later this month on whether to ratify Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal with the EU.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the withdrawal treaty placed clear obligations on the EU and UK to safeguard citizens’ rights. [...]
Full article on Financial Times (subscription required)