Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, what international travel and work restrictions will be placed on EU citizens while they accumulate five years' residency in order to apply for settled status.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, under what circumstances EU citizens who arrive after the specified date will be eligible to settle permanently in the UK.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, whether EU nationals seeking work in the UK and those who lose their employment in the UK will retain the same rights are those in work or self-employment.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, whether work carried out abroad on behalf of UK firms will be included within the five years' continuous residence requirement for EU nationals to gain settled status after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, what support and fee status will be given to EU nationals who arrive in the UK after the specified date.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, where and when EU nationals living in the UK will be required to show a residence document.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper, the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union: safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, whether residency in Crown Dependencies will count towards the five years required to gain settled status.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26 June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status, including detailed eligibility criteria, in due course. Regarding eligibility of time spent in the Crown Dependencies, this will also be specified in due course, but there is precedent in the Immigration Rules for counting time spent in the Crown Dependencies towards UK settlement when leave in the Crown Dependencies has been granted on a broadly equivalent basis as leave in the UK.
The specified “cut-off” date before which EU citizens must have been resident in the UK in order to qualify for settled status is a matter for negotiations with our European partners as part of delivering a reciprocal agreement. We are clear that the parameters are not earlier than the date we triggered Article 50 (29 March 2017), and no later than the date we leave the EU.
We will be establishing a new application process for EU citizens looking to secure settled status in the UK. Fees and charges are being considered as part of the negotiations. Our aim is to offer a streamlined and high quality service for everyone, keeping any fees at a reasonable level.
All EU citizens and their families who are resident in the UK before exit, regardless of when they arrived, will, on the UK’s exit, have a grace period, which will be specified, but which we expect to be up to two years. During this period, they which they need to obtain an immigration status in UK law in order to be able to remain lawfully in the UK. In due course, EU nationals may be required to produce a residence document for specified purposes, as evidence of their entitlement to work, access benefits and services.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received from community and civil society representatives on the experience of entering UK airports for Fijian citizens in the British Army with Commonwealth passports and indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Home Office has no record of any general representations from community representatives or Fijian nationals enlisted as regulars in the British Army or with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), having experienced difficulties at the UK border.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received on reports that members of the Army are facing difficulties entering UK airports.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Home Office has no record of any recent general representations or reports from members of the Army who have faced difficulties entering the UK at an airport.
Military personnel are checked at the UK border in line with the Border Force Operating Mandate but are exempt from immigration control if they fall under section 8 of the Immigration Act 1971 provided they can prove that they are a serving member of the British Army.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the strength of al-Qaeda in Syria.
Answered by Ben Wallace
Al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria predates the present conflict. The Assad regime historically tolerated the group as a means of destabilising Iraq and preventing the group targeting his regime.
Since the start of the conflict, al-Qaeda, primarily through their affiliate Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, have exploited areas where there is a lack of effective governance to control pockets of territory, promote a radical ideology and attempt to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict.
Despite nominally disaffiliating in July 2016, we assess that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) retain strong links to al-Qaeda. This is reflected in HMG’s proscription of JFS as an alias of al-Qaeda. By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria, likely increasing their ability to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks.
By establishing itself as an effective opposition force through Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other sympathetic groups, al-Qaeda has managed to populate significant areas of north-west Syria with supportive networks, establishing and improving its operational capability. This is likely providing al-Qaeda with safe areas of operating space to plan, train and develop capability for external attacks, as well as access to numerous potential operatives.