Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, this week spoke of his constituents when calling on the Prime Minister to reduce the proposed £65 charge which EU citizens will have to pay to apply to gain their rights of UK residence when the UK leaves the EU.
Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, the MP referred to his local public meetings in Bexhill, Battle and Heathfield where concern was raised in the halls by EU citizens as to the cost and complexity in obtaining their rights to remain after Brexit.
Confirming he will vote for the Prime Minister’s deal on Tuesday, the MP said “There is one particular aspect that I would like the Prime Minister to look at for which I have to declare a rather rash financial interest. It relates to P33 of the Withdrawal Agreement where citizens’ residency can either be provided free by the UK government or commensurate to existing cost. I rather foolishly, in a Brexit meeting in Bexhill, was so confident that this would be provided free by the Government that I offered to pay any charge to one particular European citizen who was not quite as confident. Surely, given this was a decision by the UK public, we should be welcoming our friends, our neighbours, our essential workforce from the EU and offering this free so that they can stay in this country at our cost.”
In response to Mr Merriman, the Prime Minister said she “recognised the concerns he has raised” and added that “the fee of £65 to apply for status under the scheme is in line with the current cost of obtaining permanent residence documentation and it will contribute of course to the overall cost of the system. But applications will be free of charge for those who hold valid permanent residence documentation or valid indefinite leave to enter or remain and for children being looked after by a local authority. And where an application is granted pre-settled status under the scheme there will from April 2019 be no fee when they apply for settled status.
The Prime Minister committed to the MP that “the EU settlement scheme actually will make it simple and straightforward for people to get the status that they need.”
Speaking after the exchange in the House of Commons, and following a meeting with the Immigration Minister on the same day, the MP said “This is a matter which may unite voters, regardless of how they voted in the referendum. Citizens from the EU, living in this country, will now have to apply for residence in order to keep the same rights which they were granted when they arrived here. The application process comes about because of the referendum so it seems fair to me that we should absorb the cost accordingly. If the application is as straight-forward as I am told, it should not cost £65 in any event. If I could find the lady I promised to pay any fee for, then I absolutely will. My real aim is to ensure that no one has to pay at all. As a separate issue, I am determined to help any EU citizen in my constituency who does not find the process as easy as is being explained.”
The MP has committed to work with MPs across the political divide to further press the case.
