The majority of EU nationals living in Southwark are believed to have applied for leave to remain, according to figures shared at the council’s latest Brexit meeting.
Last year the local authority embarked on a communication campaign encouraging European citizens to apply for settled status, to ensure they can remain in the UK post-Brexit. One key concern was that older people and those who are not as computer literate may struggle.
The latest available data show that 44,890 residents in Southwark have applied for the EU settlement scheme. The majority are working age with only 650 of pensionable age.
The number of permanent EU citizens, and their ages, in the borough is a rough estimate. But, based on 2011 Census numbers, Southwark Council says there are expected to be around 41,000.
If this is the case, despite population growth in the last decade the council hopes this means the ‘vast majority’ have successfully applied.
This is particularly reassuring given that due to COVID-19 and the difficulty of verifying documents in person, the settlement service has been suspended since March.
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2021.