UK decision to charge EU nationals sparks tension with Brussels

Featured Sponsor

Store	Link	Sample Product
UK Artful Impressions	Premiere Etsy Store

The UK has started charging thousands of EU citizens residing in Britain for healthcare and financial support received after they were refused permission to stay in the country, sparking further tensions with Brussels.

EU this Thursday expressed “deep concerns” about the UK’s decision to require up to 141,000 EU nationals to pay for NHS treatment and reimburse social benefits after their establishment status refused because the British government had not updated its records online.

The EU raised the issue during a meeting with British officials in Brussels. A joint statement from both parties said: “The EU has expressed its deep concern about EU citizens who received a refusal decision between 27 June 2021 and 19 April 2022 but whose digital status does not accurately reflected this only in January 2023, due to the operation of the EU Settlement Program (EUS).

“Brussels has called for full transparency and clarity on this issue and expressed disappointment with the UK’s plans on cost recovery for certain services and benefits.”

According to the statement, the UK outlined the “applicable framework” and protections in place for individuals, and stressed the need for consistency with the approach taken with UK nationals in EU statements.

The UK said the EU nationals concerned had been told they had no right to stay, but because the status of their online application indicated that their applications were pending, local authorities and government agencies continued to pay benefits.

During the meeting, the UK raised issues relating to UK citizens in EU countries, regarding property rights and access to rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Brussels is under pressure to act from EU member states seeking to defend the rights of their nationals in the UK.

A European diplomat said: “We encourage the greatest possible flexibility in resolving the problem, in particular while protecting the vulnerable”.

“Belgium wants [post-Brexit] the withdrawal agreement is implemented and respected in its entirety and has full confidence in the commission to ensure this,” said its permanent representation in Brussels.

The UK government has said it “has an obligation to protect taxpayers’ money, which is why we take standard steps to ensure recovery of overpayments.

“We are committed to protecting the rights of UK nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, with protections in place to help those affected manage any refunds.”

Meanwhile, the House of Lords’ European Affairs Committee warned on Thursday that the backlog of claims in the EU settlement program could lead to a ‘Windrush’ scandal, when British Commonwealth citizens arrive before 1973 were wrongfully denied legal rights or expelled by the Home Office. .

In a letter, the committee called on Interior Secretary Suella Braverman to provide an update on the number of EUSS applications currently awaiting a decision.

He urged Braverman to clarify whether people whose claims were being processed have access to benefits and can apply for key documents such as driver’s licenses.

The Home Office said: “EU citizens are our friends and neighbours, and we take our obligations to secure their rights in the UK very seriously. The EU settlement program goes beyond our obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, protecting the rights of EU citizens and giving them a route to settlement in the UK.

“It has been a resounding success with around 5.6 million people having achieved status. Digital status is quick and easy to share, with full support available to applicants, the vast majority of whom have not encountered any technical issues while using our services.

Additional reporting by Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe in London