Calls to bin "divisive" EU settlement fees

Tuesday 22 January 2019

A Jersey politician is calling for Jersey to follow the Prime Minister's decision to scrap the £65 settlement fees EU citizens would have had to pay to stay in the UK, calling them "divisive" for the island's community.

EU citizens wishing to remain in Jersey post-Brexit will have to pay up to £25 to apply for settled status from January, under the States' EU Settlement Scheme.

Theresa May announced yesterday she would waive the settlement fees for EU citizens residing in the UK - which would have cost £65 and £32.50 for adults and children respectively - so that there would be "no financial barrier for any EU nationals who wish to stay."

Pictured: Deputy Rob Ward, who wants to see Jersey's settlement fee for EU citizens post-Brexit scrapped.

Deputy Rob Ward issued a statement shortly after calling the States to do the same in Jersey. The St. Helier Deputy had previously voiced concerns over the charges which he described as "divisive" for the island. He also said it "failed" the government’s first priority of 'putting children first'.

"We did not have a say in the Brexit vote and neither did EU nationals who have made their lives in Jersey... It is vital that the contribution of all of our communities to the rich diversity of our Island is appreciated," Deputy Ward said.

I hope our government will be following this decision for Jersey communities.
I have repeatedly asked for an end to this charge. It is divisive and does not put children first.
There is also money unspent from Brexit preparation funds from 2016 to 2018.https://t.co/5J7KUMl38L

— Deputy Rob Ward (Reform Jersey) (@deputyrobward) January 21, 2019

The Deputy aded that the cost of the 'Settlement Scheme,' which will allow EU citizens who do not also possess British or Irish nationality to stay in Jersey after Brexit, could be covered by under-spends from Brexit preparation funds from 2016 to 2018.

He previously raised the question of underspends in the Brexit budget in the States Assembly. Deputy Susie Pinel, the Treasury Minister, revealed that the External Relations Department hadn't spent £417,659 of the funds it had been allocated.