London,
02
January
2019
|
12:23
Europe/London

Camden Council Brexit news

Camden Council is determined to ensure that Camden, its residents and businesses receive the best possible deal from Brexit.  We are directly lobbying the Government, as well as working with our public sector and business partners, in order to ensure Camden’s voice is heard, and the rights of our residents are protected. 

On this page we will provide you with our latest news related to Brexit:

- February 2019: Camden Council is to offer free assistance for residents who are required to go through the Home Office EU settlement scheme process.

 

Concerns have been raised about a lack of information and guidance from government so the borough is stepping in to make sure residents get the support they need.

The EU Make Camden advice summit takes place on 11 March, and EU citizens will be able to access advice and hear about what is being done in Camden to manage the impact of Brexit on the borough’s communities. Residents can register to attend here. The event will also be available on live stream.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council, said:

“Despite the uncertain climate, we are taking a proactive approach to preparing the borough for Brexit. I want our EU residents to know that they are valued here in Camden and that we are here to support them thorough uncertain times.“75% of Camden residents voted remain in the EU referendum and since the vote we’ve been standing up for our EU nationals and our close relationship with Europe.

“Today we give a guarantee of support. We’ll be helping residents to complete the settlement application process and working together as a community to support anybody feeling uncertain about what will happen after Brexit. We want our EU citizens to continue to call Camden their home and we will do everything possible to make sure that happens.”

Camden’s package of support:

  • Provide officers to carry out the ID verification service free of charge to Camden’s EU residents and their children, and Camden staff members.
  • Frontline Council staff will be briefed with up to date contact information so they are ready to signpost residents to the help they need.
  • Partner with key advice organisations such as Citizens Advice Camden and Camden Community Law Centre to ensure that ongoing advice points are available.
  • Work through schools, community groups and voluntary organisations, to ensure all are prepared to show Camden residents where to access the support they need.
  • Invest in our cohesion services to promote healthy communities and convene a cohesion conference.

Camden’s Leader, Georgia Gould will also call on Camden’s businesses and employers to support the EU Make Camden campaign by speaking to their EU employees about the application process, signposting them to advice services and paying the £14 fee for those requiring the ID verification service.

Further information

Camden’s European citizens can get useful information on their democratic rights and how to access our ID verification service, along with other guidance about Brexit at www.camden.gov.uk/Europe

For advice relating to specific circumstances, Camden’s EU residents can contact one of our advice partners below:

  • Camden Community Law Centre - 020 7284 6510
  • Citizens Advice Camden - 0300 330 1157
  • Age UK Camden - 020 7837 3777
  • Mary Ward Legal Centre – 020 7831 7079

Camden Council will be commencing its ID verification service for EU citizens making their application to the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme on 4 March 2019. Although able to charge a £14 processing fee for this service, Camden will be waiving this fee for its EU residents and their children, and Camden staff members.

 

- January 2019: Camden Council reacts to government information outlining how EU citizens living in the UK can apply for settled status to continue living in the country after December 31 2020.

 

Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities said:

“It is disgraceful the Government’s EU settlement scheme now means EU residents will have to pay £65 to apply to continue to live in the UK following Brexit.

“There are 24,000 residents in Camden who were born in EU countries, as well as 36,000 EU citizens who work in our borough who will now have to pay a staggering total of £3.9m just to request to continue to live and work where they are already legally allowed. These individuals shape our communities and play a vital role within our economy and public services.

“It is therefore outrageous that those valued citizens who contribute so heavily both economically and culturally are going to be unfairly penalised with both this additional expense and a perceived penalty for those who have chosen to build their lives here. 

“We are determined to ensure that Camden, its residents and businesses receive the best possible deal from Brexit. If Camden, and the rest of the UK, are to leave the EU then we at least want to remain open to the many thousands of people who come from the continent to enrich our lives.

“We are directly lobbying the Government, as well as working with our public sector and business partners, in order to ensure Camden’s voice is heard, and the rights of our residents are protected.”

Further information

  • Camden’s European citizens can get useful information on their democratic rights and access to speedy document checks for citizenship, along with other guidance about Brexit at: camden.gov.uk/Europe

 

- June 2018: Camden Council reacts to government announcement regarding the process for EU citizens to apply for settled status.

 

The government have announced further details about the process for EU citizens to continue living in the UK after June 2021.

The scheme will open fully by March 2019, with the final deadline for applying being 30 June 2021.

Getting ‘settled status’ means you can continue to live and work in the UK for as long as you like. It will mean you’re eligible for:

  • public services, such as healthcare and schools
  • public funds and pensions
  •  British citizenship, if you meet the requirements

Amongst the details announced by the government are provisional fees (subject to approval by Parliament) to be paid in order to apply for settled status. These are £65 if you’re 16 and over, £32.50 if you’re under 16, and free if:

  • you already have valid indefinite leave to remain or a valid permanent residence document
  • you’re applying to move from pre-settled status to settled status
  • you’re a child in local authority care

Further details about the settled status process are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status

Reacting to the government’s announcement, Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture and Communities, Jonathan Simpson, said:

“The process of applying for settled status will begin by March 2019 and whilst there will be a two year period to apply it is worth EU citizens living in Camden familiarising themselves with the detail of what has been announced at this stage. This includes what documentation will be asked for and the proposed cost for the application process.

“Whilst there are some exemptions, I’m concerned that the government’s proposed fees of £65 for adults and £32.50 for under 16s to apply is too high and is going to be a particularly difficult cost for low income households to meet. The cost of applying will run into the hundreds for some families and there seems to be no concession being made for low income households or the likes of those residents who care for family members. These costs are yet to be confirmed by parliament, so I call on the government to either lower the cost or apply concessions based upon income.”

 

- March 2018: Mayor of London launches new online portal for EU Citizens living in London.

Portal available here.

 

- December 2017: Government confirms rights of EU Citizens living in the UK - something which Camden Council has been campaigning for:

A Government agreement with the European Union ensures that there is no change to the status of EU citizens and their families living in the UK whilst the UK remains in the EU.  It also provides guidance regarding what happens after we leave the EU, and continued access to public funds and services.  Full information about the agreement reached with the EU on citizens' rights is available in this joint report.  It includes:

· People who, by 29 March 2019, have been continuously and lawfully living here for 5 years will be able to apply to stay indefinitely by getting ‘settled status’. That means they will be free to live here, have access to public funds and services and go on to apply for British citizenship.

· People who arrive by 29 March 2019, but won’t have been living here lawfully for 5 years when we leave the EU, will be able to apply to stay until they have reached the 5-year threshold. They can then also apply for settled status.

· Family members who are living with, or join, EU citizens in the UK by 29 March 2019 will also be able to apply for settled status, usually after 5 years in the UK.

· Close family members (spouses, civil and unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren, and dependent parents and grandparents) will be able to join EU citizens after exit, where the relationship existed on 29 March 2019.

EU citizens with settled status or temporary permission to stay will have the same access as they currently do to healthcare, pensions and other benefits in the UK.  For more information about the settled status process and how to apply, and also permanent residence status, visit here.

 

-November 2017: Leader calls on Prime Minister to guarantee rights of EU citizens:

Camden Council Leader, Georgia Gould, has called on the Prime Minister to unilaterally guarantee the full rights of all EU Citizens currently in the UK, including those who have resided in the country for less than five years.

London is an international city that people of all backgrounds call home, including around 1.2 million EU Citizens. EU workers represent 13 per cent of the capital’s workforce and made a net contribution of £20bn to UK public finances between 2000 and 2011. 10 per cent of London’s doctors and seven per cent of London’s nurses are from the EU. The NHS, local councils and the wider public sector relies on EU Citizens to care for and support people in our communities. The potential departure of EU Citizens from London would have serious repercussions for the capital, not only economically but also in terms of social care and public health.

Councillor Gould said: "EU Citizens are still being treated as bargaining chips in the Brexit negotiations. Crucially, their right to stay in the UK after Brexit has still not been guaranteed. Other serious questions about their future rights also remain unanswered; whether their full rights will be retained, whether people who have lived in the UK for less than five years will have fewer rights, and what would happen in the event of no deal being reached at the end of the Brexit negotiations.

"It is unacceptable that EU Citizens are being made to feel like second-class citizens in the country they have contributed so much to.  I urge the Government to unilaterally guarantee the full rights of all EU Citizens currently in the UK, including those who have resided in the country for less than five years. We further call on you to guarantee that EU Citizens’ rights will not be affected in the event of no Brexit deal. If the Government seriously wants EU citizens to remain, live and work in the UK, there is no reason why this cannot happen immediately."

 

-October 2017: Camden demands full rights for its European citizens:

http://news.camden.gov.uk/camden-demands-full-rights-for-its-european-citizens/

 

-April 2017: Tell us your views about Brexit:

http://news.camden.gov.uk/tell-us-your-views-about-brexit/

 

-September 2016: Council and businesses write to Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union:

http://news.camden.gov.uk/camden-makes-case-to-government-on-brexit-negotiations/