EU Nationals left to register for Settlement Scheme
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WQ.378/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS
BY DEPUTY K.G. PAMPLIN OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 20th OCTOBER 2020
Question
Will the Minister provide an update with regard to –
- the number of any European Union (E.U.) Nationals that are yet to register for the Jersey E.U. Settlement Scheme; and
- the nature of any further resources that will be provided to ensure that any Islanders in need of support are assisted in meeting the settlement requirements before the deadline of 30th June 2021?
Answer
- The initial number of resident EU nationals in the Island was the best estimation that could made at the time as there as was no requirement to hold such information. That number was estimated as 20,000. To date there have been just over 13,000 applicants to the scheme, which would still leave a large number yet to apply if the initial estimate was accurate.
- The scheme is currently being resourced by two fulltime caseworkers and further supported by a JCIS Officer. Funding has been requested for the two caseworkers in the Government plan until the end of June 2021. Funding has also been requested for a temporary administrative support officer to the Immigration casework section to support all immigration matters that will be affected by the changes brought about by Brexit.
A Beyond Brexit communications campaign was launched in August 2020 to encourage EU nationals who had not yet applied to do so. This resulted in an increased rate of applications to the scheme, back to the numbers that were being received pre Covid-19. Public communications will be ongoing throughout 2021.
Direct communications with Honorary Consuls, charities, churches and associations is ongoing in order to ensure all those who need to have the appropriate immigration permission will do so.
The use of Yoti as an online solution to completing the application process will be launched this month, however this will not be a requirement for applicants. In person appointments are still be conducted in line with government guidelines and the caseworkers are providing regular advice to applicants over the phone or via email.