Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit
Lib Dems get Surrey County Council to help Europeans stay post Brexit
Surrey County Council has agreed to the Lib Dem request to help its European Union (EU) staff and children in care apply for 'settled status' post-Brexit.
Earlier this year, the Government announced that EU nationals would have to apply and pay for settled status post-Brexit, though they have recently waived the application fees. This 'pay to stay' process has been widely criticised as being too complicated and making Europeans feel unwelcome in the UK.
Lib Dem County Councillor Will Forster recently addressed the Council's Cabinet to get them to commit to helping EU citizens that work for or are in the care of the local authority with their applications for settled status.
Will Forster said, "I am delighted that Surrey County Council has agreed to my request to support EU nationals from some of the damaging effects of Brexit and will help its EU staff and children in care apply for settled status if Brexit takes place."
"10% of construction workers are from the EU, that's 84,000 people. Without Europeans we will not be able to build new homes or schools, or resurface roads. 18% of social care workers are from the EU - without European staff, the County Council will not be able to look after vulnerable elderly people. EU citizens make a huge positive contribution to this country and our county."
"By requiring Europeans in the UK to apply for settled status, the Conservative Government are effectively saying to three million of our neighbours and colleagues that they are not wanted here. That's a dreadful message, but I am pleased we are not saying that in Surrey."