EU citizens fear vital service cuts
Thousands of EU nationals could face problems accessing essential services because the government is refusing to issue physical proof of their right to live in the UK.
The settlement scheme grants EU citizens the right to remain in the UK after Brexit. Unlike other foreign nationals, they are not provided with a biometric residency permit proving their status.
Instead they have to access the Home Office’s online database each time they need to produce evidence of eligibility.
The process, which requires applicants to have a smartphone and reliable internet access, is part of a government plan to phase out paper permits and make the entire immigration service digital.
But it means those with settled status and service providers have to negotiate a sequence of login...