Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement on EU Settlement Scheme Deadline

The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 29 June 2021.

Tomorrow marks the application deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme and I want to make a final appeal to European Londoners and their families. Speak to your eligible friends, colleagues and family members and make sure they’ve all applied to the scheme.

I remain hugely concerned that with hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the Government’s application backlog, many European Londoners face a real risk of discrimination from Thursday onwards. We know the backlog will take months and months to clear but it is still not too late for ministers to do the right thing and announce an extension to the application deadline to avoid the huge stress and anxiety their application backlog will have created.

I also urge the Government to introduce physical proof of status – their policies mean that immigration checks are being conducted by non-experts – landlords, employers and others who may not know or understand the complexities of EU citizens’ new immigration status, which is digital-only. There is no doubt that the lack of printed evidence creates barriers in accessing work, housing and essential services and we have already seen the harm that these policies have had on many people, including the Windrush generation and their families.

I will continue to do all I can to support European citizens living in the capital – they continue to make a massive contribution to our economic, cultural and social life, and everything that makes our city so great.