900 EU citizens are granted settled status in East Dunbartonshire

However, Oxford University’s Migration Observatory and think tank British Future have warned new immigration rules could hit UK social care and hospitality businesses.

Home Office figures reveal that by the end of September 2020, 900 people successfully applied to continue living in the area after December 31.

European Union nationals wishing to continue living in the UK must apply under the EU Settlement Scheme by June 30 2021.

Those who have lived in the UK for five years and meet the criteria, can receive settled status and remain in the country indefinitely.

Those who have lived in the country for less time can receive pre-settled status, which allows them to remain for a further five years. They can later apply for settled status.

Of 910 applications dealt with in East Dunbartonshire between August 2018 and 
September 30 last year, 650 granted applicants settled 
status and 250 pre-settled 
status. Around 20 applications were either refused, withdrawn, or invalid. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

In East Dunbartonshire, the highest number of applications was submitted by residents from Poland (160), followed by people from Italy (120) and Germany (90).

There were also around 60 applications from people who are not from the European Economic Area but qualify for the scheme. Those qualifying include family members of EU citizens living in the UK.

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, an organisation working for inclusion and fairness, said new rules requiring immigrants to meet a £25,400 salary threshold may pose issues for some sectors, although foreign graduates will be allowed to work after they study.

He said: “Despite the additional bureaucratic processes and visa fees, EU migration will continue for graduate professionals in areas like law, science and academia.

“The Government has committed to allowing the NHS to recruit the staff it needs – but has not done the same for social care. The most significant impacts are likely to be in social care and hospitality, for roles paying below those salary bands.”

He added that there should be sustained scrutiny over time to ensure that those who have pre-settled status can successfully convert should they wish.

Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said: “The UK has certainly become less attractive to EU migrants since the 2016 referendum: over the past three years, EU immigration has fallen substantially.

“The Government has introduced a system that is designed to be easy for EU citizens to apply to, securing their residence rights in the UK.

“For most EU citizens, the process will be very straightforward, but there is a strong risk that some people will fall through the cracks – particularly among vulnerable groups such as victims of abuse and exploitation.”