Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people potentially or actually affected by the decision to amend Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules to include the provision that where a person has been granted limited leave to enter or remain the Secretary of State may extend that limited leave regardless of whether the person has made a valid application for such an extension.

The EU Settlement Scheme, contained in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules, has provided 5.7 million people with the immigration status they need to continue living in the UK. This includes 1.8 million people who have obtained a grant of pre-settled status (five years’ limited leave to enter or remain).

Since September 2023, we have been extending the pre-settled status of those approaching its expiry date if they have not yet obtained settled status (indefinite leave to enter or remain). This ensures that no pre-settled status holder loses their rights in the UK for failing to make a second application to the scheme.