EU Settled Scheme: Can We Trust The Official Statistics?

Home Office statistics indicate that as of 31 August 2020 the EU Settlement Scheme has received 3,910,100 applications since its debut in 2019. This number includes both online and paper applications.  What is not presented, and worryingly unknown, is how many EU/EEA nationals have not applied under the Scheme, or more generally, are currently present in the UK. What is even more concerning is how many of this unknown population are even aware of the scheme’s existence, let alone their need to secure their immigration status in the UK as a result of Brexit. There seems to be no concrete way of ascertaining this unknown number, and therefore efforts must be made to promote awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme’s existence, the reason for its existence, and what steps must be taken to apply under the scheme.

It would appear that a majority of those who are aware of the scheme, do not fully understand how it operates. For example, many of those who have gained Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not understand that this grants the holder five years of leave in the UK, at which point another application under the scheme is required for Settled Status. It would appear that most applicants assume that Pre-Settled Status will automatically roll over to Settled Status.  The combination of these two points lays out a rather worrying outcome over the next five years, and has the potential to cause trouble for both the Home Office and those looking to rely on the EU Settlement Scheme to secure their status in the UK.

Read more: Gherson Immigration, https://is.gd/SCYhty