Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it his policy that EU residents who have disabilities and (a) have not been able to work, (b) have not worked sufficiently or continuously and (c) who might never work due to their disabilities but who will have been living in the UK lawfully and continuously for five years by 29 March 2019 will be able to apply for settled status.

We agreed with the EU that the eligibility criteria for UK settled status will be the same as, or more favourable than, those set out in the Free Movement Directive for acquiring permanent residence.

As a matter of domestic policy, we have decided that the main requirement for eligibility under the settlement scheme will be continuous residence in the UK. Applicants will not need to demonstrate that they met the relevant requirements in the Free Movement Directive as to permitted activity.