Safeguarding EU nationals

03 August 2017

The Russell Group has today published a new briefing note setting out areas where further clarity over the future rights of EU citizens after Brexit is needed.

The document identifies 10 areas where further information is needed from government and sets out principles that should be at the centre of the process by which EU nationals can obtain settled status.

The full briefing note can be read online here.

Commenting, Russell Group Head of Policy Jessica Cole said:

“Brexit is causing uncertainty and anxiety for EU staff, who need clarity over their future rights as soon as possible. There are around 25,000 members of staff from other EU countries at Russell Group universities delivering high-quality teaching and cutting-edge research. We value our EU colleagues and want them to stay.

“Universities and EU staff and students need to be able to plan for the future with confidence. We urge the Government to secure an agreement with the EU on citizens’ rights at the earliest possibility. We want to ensure that families will be able to stay together in the UK and that the system for processing applications will place minimal burdens on applicants at the lowest possible cost. There is no reason why individuals and families who have already secured Permanent Residency should not be granted the new ‘settled status’ automatically.”

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