STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT
SPECIAL REPORT | OCTOBER 2019 https://eurac.tv/9QTE
With the support of STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT
SPECIAL REPORT | OCTOBER 2019 While EU and UK negotiators are still deadlocked over a https://eurac.tv/9QTE Brexit deal, and the UK just weeks from leaving the bloc, it is easy to ignore the human cost of Brexit, deal or no deal. Around 6 million people – EU nationals living in the UK and Britons leaving elsewhere in the EU – face an uncertain and confusing future.
Although both sides have promised to safeguard their rights in a no deal scenario, there are many unanswered questions around healthcare and pensions.
With migration control having been one of the key drivers of the vote to leave the EU, many Europeans in the UK fear that they will become unwelcome in the country and face the so-called ‘toxic environment’ themselves.
This Special Report looks at some of the questions facing EU nationals living in the UK and their UK counterparts, and whether these 6 million Europeans will be victims of the political chaos. Contents
Brexit causes status anxiety among EU nationals in the UK 4
Life in Bulgaria, after Brexit – a ‘no-brainer’ for expats 6
No escape from the hostile environment 8
Brexit – Raising awareness for hidden Europeans 10
In search of Brexit reciprocity 12 4 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV
Brexit causes status anxiety among EU nationals in the UK
By Benjamin Fox | EURACTIV.com
The UK government has promised to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. But anxiety reigns. [Danny Howard/Flickr]
he negotiations on a Brexit AVOIDING ANOTHER likely to be a lot higher than the 3.5 Withdrawal Agreement have WINDRUSH million EU nationals officially reported Tbeen painfully slow and often by the UK government. Around one rancorous, but ministers have always The UK’s Home Office is anxious to million people have already been insisted that the rights of EU nationals avoid a repeat of the Windrush scandal given settled status, under which they living in the UK will be protected. in 2018, which saw dozens of people, can stay on indefinitely and eventually In August, recently installed Prime many of them British-born, wrongly apply for British citizenship, if they are Minister Boris Johnson said he deported. Windrush was widely seen eligible. would “repeat unequivocally” the as proof of the ‘hostile environment’ The Home Office wants to look government’s guarantee to them. to immigrants championed by former accepting and is working with Prime Minister Theresa May. community and civil society groups, The government’s EU settled Civil society activists report civil society campaigners say. It has status scheme is designed to keep that between 10-20% of applicants provided £9 million to 44 agencies the promise that all EU citizens, their so far, particularly among non-EU specifically to target vulnerable family members, and dependants dependents of EU nationals, have groups. Meanwhile, a Digital Assist can stay, with no change to their encountered problems, typically service, and a helpline based in rights. Anyone who has lived here delays of between three and six Liverpool, are also part of the £460 continuously for five years should, in months for a decision. million funded scheme. theory, be able to get settled status. Part of the problem is that the true However, there is anxiety, on all sides. number of EU nationals in the UK is Continued on Page 5 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV 5
Continued from Page 4 She adds that government civil last minute will also lead to a huge servants tend not to be aware of the backlog. Although the imminence of Computer literacy and access to detail, which makes it hard for them Brexit on October 31, and the threat technology are recurring problems, to advise. of a no-deal Brexit, has concentrated according to officials and activists. There have been some successes. minds, the deadline for applying for “I’ve heard civil servants say that it Applying for ESS is free and the Home settled status is not until December (Windrush) won’t happen again. They Office has waived the hefty application 2020. are reassuring, confident but anxious,” fees it charges third-country migrants. Organisations such as the says one official on the Home Office Joint Committee on the Welfare of working groups. HURT Immigrants worry that EU nationals and family members who do not apply AWARENESS But even if the UK government is under the EUSS will be left with no trying to ‘bend over backwards to be legal status whatsoever. Civil society groups say their helpful’, as one official says, the pain For all the government’s assertions main task at the moment is about and resentment of having to apply of good will, many question how raising awareness of the new system, for residency in the country you have prepared its departments are. For particularly among vulnerable lived in for years or even decades, in example, the database for the UK citizens, particularly the elderly many cases, is very real. government’s Department for Work and those with limited access to or “There is a real sense of annoyance. and Pensions only goes back seven familiarity with the internet. People had never thought that they years, potentially creating problems That includes workshops for would need all these documents. for EU citizens who have not worked community groups on how to navigate Many who have been here all their in that period. the system and offering one to one lives feel hurt that they have to apply Nor does the Home Office support with caseworkers. for a status they have already, and then application system keep a record Bianca Valperga, EUSS [EU often receive only pre-settled status,” of past applications, meaning that settlement scheme] development says Bianca Valperga. citizens who have wrongly been given officer for New Europeans, a civil The pre-settled status allows ‘pre-settled status’ will need to keep rights group that champions freedom applicants to stay in the UK for five all their documents and start from of movement and non-discrimination, more years, pending the approval of scratch. estimates that the application should settled status. “At the moment, nothing is a take up to 45 minutes providing that “Many EU citizens don’t feel problem because we’re still in Europe,” all documents are in order and correct. welcome anymore,” says Roger says New Europeans’ senior adviser, But therein lies another problem, Casale, a former MP who set up New Tamara Flanagan. But she, like other as the Home Office “EU Exit: ID Europeans in 2013. He describes pre- activists, worries what will happen Document Check” app is currently settled status as a ‘grey zone’. after 31 October, when the UK is due to only available on Android, although Migrant Voice, a campaign group, leave the EU, unless another extension an Apple version is set to come online reports that a majority of people found is agreed. this month. the system quite easy and got the Danai Galaziou, project manager decision they expected. But they and with Advice on Individual Rights in other campaign groups are already Europe (AIRE), says there is difficulty talking about scrapping the December in getting people engaged and aware 2020 deadline arguing that the of what they need to do. Meanwhile, process is going to be far slower than the erosion of community, particularly the government thinks. in cities, means people often don’t Others fear that the common know who to talk to. practice of leaving problems until the 6 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV
Life in Bulgaria, after Brexit – a ‘no-brainer’ for expats
By Benjamin Fox | EURACTIV.com
Beynon and Sue Darley, in their home in the village of Radyuvene, near the city of Lovech. [Georgi Gotev]
he village of Radyuvene is a with hordes of British expats but it is people to demonstrate that they have far cry from the hustle and estimated that some 18,000 British a work contract or are self-employed Tbustle of UK urban life. But it people have moved to live in Bulgaria, in Bulgaria, or that they can support is home to Beynon and Sue Darley, many to take advantage of the lower themselves financially. who swapped Guildford, a town 40 cost of housing and living. Around “The impact we’re worried about km south of London, for a rambling a half of them live in the country is on the uprating of our pension,” cottage in rural central Bulgaria. permanently. says Sue. “They are guaranteeing our With the UK potentially just a pension upgrading for three years but The Darleys made their decision to couple of weeks away from leaving the after that we don’t know if it will be move to the village, not far from the EU, the Darleys are bracing themselves frozen.” city of Lovech, during their third visit for “chaos”, even if they say that the There is also uncertainty about to Bulgaria. They bought their house Bulgarian government has promised how and whether their healthcare from a Roma family and re-located the situation of UK expats won’t status will be affected. At the moment, permanently in 2015. change. Bulgaria may not be associated The new Bulgarian rules require Continued on Page 7 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV 7
Continued from Page 6 “In the village, we feel very much welcomed. Here our neighbours all the Darleys are covered by Beynon’s talk to us. We help each other. If you UK pension rights. This gives them a do a service for them, they will always certificate known as S1, which entitles repay you in raki [brandy] or fruit. I them to state healthcare paid for by the think that’s brilliant,” says Sue. UK. After Brexit, it is unclear whether “You’re not taking each other for that will continue granted. Little things but it means a “We don’t know if we will be lot.” covered by the system we’ve paid into Despite the uncertainty facing all our lives or have to move to private them, the Darleys have no plans to insurance,” Sue adds. Both have pre- return to the UK, where they say Brexit existing medical conditions that has “divided families”. could make private health insurance “I don’t like what it’s (the UK) complicated and costly. become,” says Sue. The Darleys don’t expect to be “Particularly since this Brexit victims of a post-Brexit political business has been around,” adds tit-for-tat in the event that the UK Beynon. “We’re very happy here government clamps down on access to and there doesn’t seem to be an the UK for Bulgarians. overwhelming reason to go back.” Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has welcomed British migrants and, in ECONOMIC EXILE? April, the National Assembly adopted legislation that will treat UK citizens in Bulgaria, property taxes are the same as those from the EU, even in low and living costs are around half a no-deal Brexit scenario. those in the UK. Those are also factors “My feeling is that they want us to that keep them from returning to stay,” says Sue. “We bring money into Guildford, one of the wealthiest the economy even as pensioners.” regions of the UK, , where they had So far, the Darleys have followed worked as foster carers. the recommendations of the UK and “We are able to live out here in Bulgarian governments: updating Bulgaria on a standard pension – you their Bulgarian ID cards – known couldn’t even have a basic standard of as lichna karta – obtaining ten-year living in the UK with that,” says Sue. residency permits and Bulgarian Moving to Bulgaria was “a no driving licenses. brainer because we can live out here “In the event of a complete no-deal rather than just exist”, she adds, “when breakdown, we will have to re-register you’ve lived next to the M25 (under but will keep the rights we have the flight path for London’s Heathrow acquired,” says Beynon. airport), this is bliss”. But while they are critical of the Pointing to the sweeping view of UK’s Settled Status scheme which the countryside from their garden, she has been offered to EU nationals in says: “how much would you pay in the Britain, there has been no ‘hostile UK for that?” environment’ for them here. Community spirit is far stronger than in the UK, they say. 8 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV
OPINION
DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this column reflect the views of the author(s), not of EURACTIV.COM Ltd. No escape from the hostile environment
By Roger Casale
“Hostile environment” at the UK Home Office. [Photo: Shutterstock]
he UK’s offer of settled status to coined by Theresa May – seems to have Settled status – in effect indefinite EU citizens may have seemed stuck. leave to remain – was announced Tlike a change of tack in its So when the Government unilaterally by Prime Minister May at migration policy but there are many announced that EU citizens could be the end of 2018. causes for anxiety, writes Roger Casale. deported if they had not regularised At the time, it was seen as a major their status by the deadline a new concession. Roger Casale is the founder and wave of anxiety was unleashed. The UK had previously sought Secretary General of New Europeans. The fear factor was felt not just by to hold over 3.6 million EU citizens EU citizens in the UK. Many Britons hostage to the Brexit negotiations, The UK Home Office does not have abroad are nervous that other member citing the need to protect Britons a reputation for welcoming foreigners. states might retaliate by sending them The term “hostile environment” – packing too. Continued on Page 9 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV 9
Continued from Page 8 citizens being turned down in error of Brexit, is that people in positions of for benefits and even for healthcare power simply do not know what they abroad as justification. access because they only have pre- do not know. In fact, the Government had been settled status. Landlords, employers, healthcare playing a dirty game which had more An award of pre-settled status workers, civil servants, may be taking to do with lowering the Brexit bill, than should not change such entitlements decision based on a misunderstanding securing the rights of #the5million. but that does not stop officials making of EU citizens which are the wrong The concession came after a three mistakes which can often be costly to decisions based on the evidence but year campaign by New Europeans, put correct. which are generated by risk averse Migrant Voice, Amnesty International If EU citizens are not aware of behaviour on the part of the decision and others calling for unilateral their rights, they may not appeal, maker in conditions of uncertainty. guarantees. with devastating consequences in It is likely to be the weakest, most We knew it was wrong to allow some cases for themselves and their exposed members of society with the citizens’ rights to be swept up into families. least access to advisers or support the Brexit negotiation. It turned EU The Home Office has also been mechanisms who will bear the brunt citizens and Britons in Europe into awarding pre-settled status in error. of this. bargaining chips. Many decisions are converted to That is why the psychological With settled status, the settled status on appeal. and emotional stress of Brexit on EU Government appeared to be changing Marginalised and vulnerable citizens is unlikely to be alleviated any tack. Overnight, EU citizens had groups are particularly at risk which time soon. become “our friends”. points to a fourth set of issues with Unwanted foreigners would still settled status. face the “hostile environment”. But Applications can only be made on the settled status scheme would create line but not everybody is able to use or an ‘oasis of calm and security’ for EU access the internet and not everybody citizens. has access to the required Android How real is the offer and how has it phone. worked out in practice? What happens if ID documents Contrary to expectations, take have expired or been lost and cannot up has been strong. Over 2 million easily be replaced – may infirm, EU citizens have already applied and housebound EU citizens may be in this many have already received settled or position. pre-settled status. And yet they are facing the same From the perspective of the citizen, deadlines as everyone else – they need however, there remain a number of and should be given more time to serious and potentially intractable complete the process. issues. The most telling shortcoming is The first relates to the approach the lack of a physical proof of status. behind the scheme. By requiring EU New Europeans has proposed an citizens to apply for settled status EU Green Card to address this issue rather than allowing them simply to and twice presented the idea to the register, the government is in effect European Parliament. forcing them to apply for a status they A Green Card would be a simple, already have. practical way to demonstrate to As a result, EU citizens have potential employers or landlords for been made to feel like “second-class example, that an EU citizen has the citizens”. right to remain. That sticks in the throat of any fair- For Britons already resident in the minded person let alone the hearts EU, it could also be a way to make sure and minds of EU citizens themselves. that they retain their free movement Secondly, there are concerns about rights. the award of ‘pre-settled status’. The biggest problem of all in any There have been reports of EU process of social change on the scale 10 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV
Brexit – Raising awareness for hidden Europeans
By Benjamin Fox | EURACTIV.com
The UK will end special access for EU citizens in its post-Brexit immigration policies. [Shutterstock]
aising awareness of the need the European Commission on the EU how to apply for EU Settled Status for EU citizens in the UK to Settlement Scheme. for over 18 months. He says he Rapply for EU Settled Status is While the Home Office, along with has attended more than 200 such one of the main challenges facing the the rest of the UK government, has meetings since last April. With Brexit UK government and activists. And it’s stepped up its public communications looming there has been a huge spike in proving to be harder than many in the about the changes that Brexit will applicants for settled status in recent government expected. mean, there are still a number of weeks. blind spots. In the case of the EU The European Commission office “We knew very early on and were Settled Status scheme, government in London has been co-ordinating the informing the European Commission communication is as much about network of national embassies in the that it wasn’t going to be easy for defending the scheme as it is about UK via monthly meetings since 2016 everyone,” says Chris Desira, an educating people on how to use it. and been actively involved in the talks immigration lawyer and director of Desira has been running advice Seraphus solicitors, which is advising centres with community groups on Continued on Page 11 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV 11
Continued from Page 10 that the Home Office was incapable government, said pre-settled status of delivering; three months ago I was for EU citizens who want to stay in the with the Home Office. Meanwhile, impressed. Now I am concerned,” says UK after Brexit should be scrapped in embassies have been developing their Desira. favour of a registration process with own support networks, including “The indications are that there is a no end date. information sessions, and providing bit of a backlog building,” he adds. In a similar vein, a number of legal support and mobile units for The Home Office has estimated campaign groups have called for passports. that 5-10% of applicants will face the introduction of a Green Card, This support varies from difficulties with the application as a simple way to demonstrate to community to community. For process. That may not sound like many government authorities and other example, the Italian government has but could translate into a total figure institutions that an EU citizen has the close ties with its expats. of between 200,000 and 400,000, right to remain in the UK. Elsewhere, the EU Londoner’s hub, a volume which the government’s But while Desira believes the operated by the Mayor of London’s current network of advice centres UK government might well end office, offers the guidance documents won’t be able to cope with. up extending the December 2020 on Brexit and Settled Status in all The £9m provided by the Home deadline, there are still many reasons EU languages, as well as Arabic and Office to fund projects working to be unsettled about the process of Somali. with vulnerable groups, for which acquiring settled status. programmes will expire next March, is It is “inevitable”, he says, that some COMPLICATED AND “not much per head”, says Desira. EU citizens will still end up being EXPENSIVE “Lots of people will apply after the deported. date (December 2020) and we expect a But it is still a complicated, lot of complex cases to come up later,” expensive and time-consuming he adds. process. In September, there were 500,000 “In our application workshops, we applications for settled status, and need four different interpreters,” says Home Office statistics suggest that Bianca Valperga, EU Settled Status 1.8 million have applied already, development officer for the campaign almost half of the total number of EU group New Europeans. “It’s quite nationals living in the UK. resource-intensive to have that group of people in a room at the same time,” DIFFICULTIES ARE she adds. EXPECTED For smaller communities or those with fewer resources, however, But officials and civil society problems are of a different nature, activists are still expecting difficulties “One thing that we find with the and predict that many thousands of Roma and Somali communities is that ‘hidden Europeans’ will, for a variety the communities trust their reference of reasons, be unable to complete the points, but they are limited in terms application by December 2020. of resource capacity,” says Tamsin Last week, Home Office minister Koumis of New Europeans. Brandon Lewis stated that the UK will “They might have to represent a deport EU citizens after Brexit if they large but underserved community,” do not apply in time for the right to she adds. remain, raising alarm bells about the Activists say raising awareness is government’s promises to protect the particularly difficult among those EU rights of EU nationals. citizens who have acquired European Opposition parties are already citizenship rights either through urging the government to reconsider family or refugee status, and are less the December 2020 deadline. likely to understand the loss of legal Speaking at an SNP conference in rights that Brexit will mean. Aberdeen last week, Ben Macpherson, “A year ago, I would have said migration minister in the Scottish 12 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV
In search of Brexit reciprocity
By Benjamin Fox | EURACTIV.com
When the Belgian government assured its British expats they could stay in place and work without a permit in the event of a no-deal Brexit until 2020, the twenty-five thousand Belgian and British citizens who currently live and work in each others’ countries breathed a sigh of relief. [Shutterstock]
hen the Belgian states to be “generous and pragmatic” until the end of 2020. government assured and grant temporary residence But those agreements, and there WBritish expatriates that permits to British nationals to give are many others across the EU-27, are they could stay in place and work them time to apply for long-term conditioned on reciprocity from the without a permit in the event of a no- residency status. UK. deal Brexit until 2020, the twenty-five Germany and Italy already notified That problem is solved, at least thousand Belgian and British citizens their British contingents at the end of temporarily, if UK lawmakers endorse who currently live and work in each 2018 and the pattern has been followed the Withdrawal Agreement, with a others’ countries breathed a sigh of by other European governments. vote scheduled later on Tuesday (22 relief. Spain, which has the largest October). community of British migrants Under the deal, UK citizens in the “We will guarantee citizens’ in the EU, estimated to be at least EU and EU citizens in the UK will retain established rights and rights to 300,000, has said that UK tourists their residency and social security residence based on reciprocity will be entitled to residency rights and rights after Brexit, while freedom of between both of our countries,” said medical care, as long as the UK agrees movement rules will continue to apply Belgian secretary of state for asylum to do the same for their citizens. during the transition period that runs and migration Maggie De Block. Meanwhile, Portugal’s law for a no- until December 2020. In December 2018, the European deal scenario guarantees healthcare to Commission encouraged member UK tourists who show a valid passport, Continued on Page 13 OCTOBER 2019 | SPECIAL REPORT | STATUS ANXIETY. THE 6 MILLION PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF BREXIT | EURACTIV 13
Continued from Page 12 In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 13 October, the campaign This means that UK nationals group British in Europe warned that will be able to live and work in EU “the status of 1.3 million British countries (and EU nationals will be citizens, young and old, depends able to live and work in the UK) during directly on the way in which EU 27 this period, and anyone who remains citizens are to be treated in the UK. in the same EU country for five years “Language and policies matter will be allowed to apply for permanent – undermining the status of our EU residence. 27 friends in the UK undermines our status.” EQUAL RIGHTS ON BOTH Professor Jonathan Portes, Senior SIDES Fellow at the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank, has estimated In an open letter to UK citizens that working out the longer-term living in Spain, Foreign Secretary arrangements for key economic rights Dominic Raab promised that the UK such as healthcare and social security and Spanish governments had “each entitlements will take years to resolve taken steps to ensure you will be able At last month’s meeting between to continue accessing healthcare in Spanish Foreign minister Josep Borrell Spain, exactly as you do now, until at and UK Brexit Secretary Stephen least 31 December 2020 if you are an S1 Barclay, both underlined the intention form holder.” to continue working together to Yet not all UK ministers appear to “minimise possible negative impacts be on the same page. of Brexit on citizens and economic Civil society groups for EU and UK operators.” citizens’ rights say recent statements “I want to emphasise that my by Home Secretary Priti Patel on the government greatly values the government’s intention to end free contribution that thousands of movement overnight on 31 October, Spanish citizens make to our country. and Immigration Minister Brandon We want them to stay in the UK,” said Lewis’s warning that EU citizens who Barclay. miss the December 2020 deadline to But that did not stop dozens of apply for Settled Status in the UK face British migrants marching through being deported, put their future at the streets of Málaga on 22 September risk. in protest about the uncertainty of “Free movement is a two-way street. their fate as Brexit date approaches. British citizens may face additional checks when travelling to continental Europe,” said Roger Casale, secretary- general of New Europeans, a civil rights organisation which champions freedom of movement and non- discrimination in Europe. He said the status of British citizens “could be jeopardised by the actions of the home secretary if EU member states fail to secure their right to stay before the 31 October.” For information on EURACTIV Special Reports...
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