Welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement that the £65 fee for settled status is to be scrapped,UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:
“This was the right thing to do. But it’s an idea that should never have seen the light of day in the first place. It’s a pity it took the government so long to see sense.
“With all the talk of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, EU nationals have more than enough on their minds, without having to worry about coming up with the cash just so they can carry on living here.
“The settled status registration process must be simple and make European workers feel welcome. The UK simply cannot afford to lose valuable staff from its already strained health and social care sectors.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
Anna Mauremootoo T:0207 121 5555 M: 07903 870786 E: a.mauremootoo@unison.co.uk
