Immigration / Refugees

On the 16th of January I led a series of questions, put to the Secretary of State for Scotland, by SNP MPs on the UK Government's Immigration Policy in the event of the UK leaving the EU:
"What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the potential effect on Scotland of UK immigration policy after the UK leaves the EU..."

Having tabled a series of questions on Settled Status to the Home Office, and raised the issue of Settlement Scheme fees during PMQs, I welcome the major climb-down from a beleaguered Prime Minister, who is desperately clinging onto power.

Here are some key issues that the SNP have found with the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration:

The Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration confirms the UK Government’s intention to end free movement of people* in the event of the UK leaving the EU, which means the people of Scotland will lose the rights we have as EU citizens. It is a deal which will see us poorer, both economically and socially.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement EU citizens will lose their lifelong right of return in the UK.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement EU citizens get no protection from inadvertently becoming undocumented illegal citizens.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement voting rights in local and European elections will be lost in many cases.
The Withdrawal Agreement does not protect EU family reunification rights for returning UK and EU citizens to their country of origin.
The Withdrawal Agreement undermines cooperation in Security, Justice and Law enforcement.
We welcome the fact that our police and law enforcement partners will continue to have access to vital EU tools, but we are concerned about reduced effectiveness of the European Arrest Warrant.
The Political Declaration does not mention the importance of recognising the Scottish specific considerations such as our separate criminal justice system and the functions of the Lord Advocate.
The Political Declaration does not reference the Schengen Information System (SIS II) database and the European Criminal Records Information System (CRIS), which are fundamental tools for fighting crime and keeping our people safe.
The UK Government’s white paper has been met with disdain by employers and business groups.
The SNP welcomes the UK Government's recent decision not to impose fees on EU citizens applying for settled status; something it has been calling for since fees were introduced.
Inward migration has made an overwhelmingly positive contribution to Scotland’s economy and society. The deal that has been proposed does not take account of Scotland’s distinct needs.
Freedom of movement is vital to meet Scotland’s need for workers in sectors such as health and social care.

*The free movement of people will end on the 31st of December 2020. The UK Government has proposed a ‘settled status’ and ‘pre-settled status’ scheme to regularise the immigration status of EU nationals and their family members who are lawfully residing in the UK, as per their current free movement rights. The Home Office stated that it intends settled and pre-settled status to be open to EEA and Swiss nationals, which will allow them to continue living in the UK.

The UK Government has promised to fast-track the registration process for EU citizens who want to stay in the UK, with decisions on applications in “a matter of days”. Applicants will be asked to prove their identity, that they have no convictions, and that they currently live in the UK.

It was originally proposed that applications would cost £65 per adult and £32.50 per child under 16. However, the PM's statement on the 21st of January 2019 eventually aligned with the SNP view that charging fees for EU citizens applying for settled status should be waived.

The SNP are committed to supporting those EU citizens who have made Scotland their home. As well as being a vital part of Scotland’s future economic growth, EU nationals contribute greatly to Scotland’s society and culture. People who have chosen to live and work in Scotland should consider it their home and feel welcome there.

It has been estimated that the Home Office will need to process up to 4,500 applications daily to get through 3.2m applications before the programme closes in June 2021. Numbers could be even higher as the Home Office said there could be up to 3.8m EU citizens eligible for the scheme.

Despite the lateness of the UK Government's announcement to scrap fees for EU citizens in their Settlement Scheme, this decision is welcomed by the SNP, who had repeatedly called for fees not to be imposed on EU citizens applying for settled status so that settled status was not out of reach for vulnerable or low income individuals and families.

Updated 23 January 2019