The UK will be leaving the EU in March 2019 although I feel that news coverage about Brexit is somewhat overplayed. Many things have already been agreed although the media attention perhaps understandably tends to be on matters yet to be resolved. We tend to see those who are trying to sabotage Brexit, presenting leaving the EU as some sort of apocalyptic event, which is of course nonsense.
There are also some politicians, including here in Crawley, who are trying to scare EU citizens about Brexit for their own political ends. However, the reality is that for citizens already here from EU countries, there really is absolutely nothing to worry about.
The Government recently published more details about the new scheme for EU citizens and their families, that will allow them to continue living and working here after the UK leaves the EU. The agreement recognises the valuable contribution that EU citizens make to our country and everyone is saying that we want EU citizens already here in the UK to be able to stay.
A straightforward scheme will open later this year to enable EU citizens to apply for their future status. Applications will be via a simple and short online process. Most EU citizens will only need to prove their identity and demonstrate their residence in the UK. They will be required to declare whether they have any criminal convictions and the Home Office will check that they are not a persistent criminal. It will cost £65 or £32.50 for children under 16.
EU citizens don’t need to do anything now. There will be no change to their current rights until the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020, and the deadline for applications to the scheme for those resident here will be 30 June 2021. The scheme is being phased in later this year and will be fully open by the end of March 2019. We have a very fair deal for EU citizens living here, so now we need an intransigent EU to give a fair deal to UK citizens living in the EU.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
18th July 2018