Context
Concern about EU citizens with indefinite leave to remain receiving letters suggesting they should apply for EU settled status, leading to confusion and fear regarding their future status.
Question
What steps she is taking to ensure that EU citizens with indefinite leave to remain will not be required to apply for EU settled status. I am grateful to the Minister for his answer, and I would like to offer my condolences to the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for Torbay (Kevin Foster). Many constituents of mine who have previously been granted indefinite leave to remain have received letters suggesting that they should apply for EU settled status instead. This has created a great deal of consternation and a fear that their indefinite leave to remain status may not be valid in the future. Can the Minister tell me why those letters were sent? It is not clear to people whether or not they should be applying for EU settled status.
Answer from Chris Philp
My understanding is that those people with ILR who are also eligible for EUSS can continue to enjoy ILR whether or not they apply for EUSS. Letters were sent out to people who might be eligible for EUSS, but I believe those letters did make it clear that someone who received those letters who was already naturalised as a British citizen or indeed had ILR needed to take no further action. If the hon. Lady thinks those letters were unclear, I will be happy to look into it further, but I understand that they were worded in such way as made it clear that no further action was taken in the circumstances she describes.
Not addressed: Did not provide a clear directive or commitment to clarify and reword letters for constituents who are already eligible under ILR but received conflicting advice.
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