Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Goodwill and Richard Arkless

Monday 5th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Richard Arkless (Dumfries and Galloway) (SNP)]

11. What discussions she has had with people from other EU countries living in the UK since the EU referendum on their right to live in the UK after an exit from the EU.

[The Minister for Immigration (Mr Robert Goodwill)]

The Prime Minister has been clear that she wants to protect the status of EU nationals here. The only circumstances in which that would not be possible are, as I have already said, if British citizens’ rights in other EU member states were not protected in return.

[Richard Arkless]

In the two months since the EU referendum, the EU citizens in my constituency have become increasingly anxious. They literally lie awake at night wondering whether they will still be able to call my constituency their home. Will the Home Secretary do the decent thing and guarantee that no EU citizens will be used as bargaining chips in the forthcoming negotiations following the triggering of article 50?

[Mr Goodwill]

I repeat again that there is no change in the status of EU nationals living and working in the UK. The issue is not simply about the immigration status of an individual; EU citizens’ rights are far broader than just the right to reside in the UK. The right to work, entitlement to benefits and pensions, the rights of access to public services and the ability to be joined by family members from countries outside the EU all need to be discussed.