Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the Government has made of the compatibility of the changes to the Immigration Rules for Northern Ireland announced on 14 May 2020 with Government commitments under the New Decade New Approach deal to bring domestic UK immigration rules in line with the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward the date of the EU settlement scheme applications for Northern Ireland from 24 August 2020.

The statement of changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 14 May will amend the EU Settlement Scheme so family members of the people of Northern Ireland can apply for immigration status on broadly the same terms as family members of Irish citizens.? This delivers the commitment made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement which restored the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020.

Those living in Northern Ireland and currently eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme have been able to make an application since the scheme opened fully in March 2019. In order for relevant operational preparations to be made for the changes announced on 14 May, applications from relevant family members of the people of Northern Ireland can be made from 24 August.