Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish guidance on the criteria for reasonable grounds for people missing the registration deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme.

The Government has made clear that, where a person eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the application deadline of 30 June 2021, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

EU citizens can apply to the scheme, free of charge, simply by completing three key steps: proving their identity, showing that they live in the UK and declaring any criminal convictions. There is support available for any who need help in applying, including through the EU Settlement Resolution Centre, which is open seven days a week.

We have not estimated the number of EU citizens who may miss the deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as our focus remains on ensuring everyone who is eligible applies before the deadline.