SNP call for emergency extension to EU settlement scheme
The Party's Shadow Home Secretary Stuart McDonald says the Tories risk "another windrush scandal" as he prepares to lead a debate and vote on the issue.
The SNP will today (Wednesday 7th of July) lead a debate and vote in the UK Parliament calling for an emergency extension to the EU Settlement Scheme - as thousands of EU citizens face losing their right to live and work in the UK.
Leading the SNP opposition day debate, which will see MPs vote on the call to scrap or extend the EU Settlement Scheme deadline, Stuart McDonald MP said the UK was "rapidly heading to another Tory Windrush scandal" unless urgent action is taken.
The SNP Shadow Home Secretary said Boris Johnson had broken his commitment to grant EU citizens automatic leave to remain and would bear ultimate responsibility if thousands of EU citizens, who have lived in the UK for years or decades, lose their rights.
Commenting, SNP Shadow Home Secretary Stuart McDonald MP said:
"The UK is rapidly heading towards another Tory Windrush scandal, as thousands of EU citizens face losing their right to live and work in the UK.
"It's essential that there is an emergency extension to the EU Settlement Scheme - or better still the deadline should be scrapped altogether and EU citizens living in the UK should be given automatic indefinite leave to remain as they were originally promised.
"Boris Johnson has repeatedly broken his word - and he will bear the ultimate responsibility if thousands of EU citizens end up losing their rights.
"We know that tens of thousands of applications have been refused or withdrawn, and many more are stuck in a huge backlog. Paperwork has been lost, and many thousands of EU citizens have still not applied for reasons that will vary.
"We could see a horrific situation where people who have made their home here, over many years and decades, are treated as illegal immigrants and end up losing their homes, their jobs, their benefits and their right to use public services.
"Scotland’s message to EU citizens is you’re welcome here, we want you to stay, this is your home. These people are our friends, colleagues, neighbours, and family members. It is shameful that they are being treated in this way by the UK government.
"The treatment of EU citizens is more evidence that Scotland is increasingly vulnerable under Westminster control. The only way to keep Scotland safe is to become an independent country with the full powers to regain our place in Europe and protect our rights as EU citizens."