In this blogpost for the Institute for Social Justice,  Helen Trouille, Senior Lecturer in Law at York St John University, discusses the work of the Law Clinic at YSJ with the charity Settled in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme and the barriers and injustices this has produced.

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

EU citizens who qualify for leave to remain in the UK must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) by 30 June 2021 in order to be allowed to continue to live lawfully in their homes, to work, to study and access their healthcare and benefits in the UK. Without proof of status, they risk not being able to open a bank account, take out a mortgage or rent a property in the UK after 1 July 2021, when Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ will bite for them. Typically, applications are made via a mobile phone app (iphone 7 or Android 6 or newer) and an online form. All communications including the outcome of status are via email. There is no physical proof of status, it is purely digital, linked to ID documents, and must be updated online each time ID documents are renewed, or contact details changed.

Read the full blog post here.