Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the interests of children of European citizens who are resident in the UK in the event of Brexit taking place (1) with, and (2) without, a deal.

The Government has been clear that we will protect the rights of EEA citizens resident in the UK before Brexit and their family members, regardless of whether we leave the European Union on 31 October with or without a deal. This includes the rights of EEA citizen children and of non-EEA national children of EEA citizens.

The EU Settlement Scheme will continue to operate as now for those resident here before Brexit and they will have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply for UK immigration status under the scheme. That status will enable them to continue to live in the UK and enjoy the same access to benefits and services as now.

Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme can be made by children, or by a parent or legal guardian applying on their behalf, and can be based on the child’s own residence in the UK or in line with that of a parent applying under the scheme. We are paying particular attention to how we communicate the EU Settlement Scheme to children and are undertaking research in partnership with the University of Liverpool to develop age-appropriate communications materials. We are also working with a range of children’s rights organisations to benefit from their insight and use their networks to ensure wide access to these materials.