Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP makes heartfelt plea to EU citizens: Fife is your home, please stay with us

Published date : 18 Jun 2021

Local MSP encourages all EU citizens to sign up for ‘settled status’ before 30 June deadline

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth has written to EU citizens in her constituency to make a heartfelt plea to them to secure their rights in Scotland by applying to the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) by the 30 June 2021 deadline.

The local MSP, who was reappointed as Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development last month, has repeatedly called on Boris Johnson’s Tory Government to reform the scheme and to extend the deadline.

As the 30 June deadline remains in place, the MSP is signposting EU citizens to Scottish Government funded support through the Citizens Advice Bureau. CAB’s team of specialist advisors can be contacted on their freephone EU Citizens Support Service helpline, 0800 916 9847.

The MSP is also promoting the Scottish Government’s Stay in Scotland toolkit, which includes further information on the EU Settlement Scheme, including information on rights, education and where to access support. The toolkit can be accessed at www.mygov.scot/stayinscotland

Speaking ahead of the UK Government’s 30 June deadline, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:

“I will continue to do all I can to convince the UK Government to reform the EU Settlement Scheme and extend the deadline, but for now I encourage all EU citizens in my constituency to apply for ‘settled status’ by the 30 June 2021 deadline.

“I share the Scottish Government and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s view that EU citizens should not have to apply to retain their rights but given the risks it is important that I do all I can to support my EU citizen constituents.

“EU citizens have long lived with unacceptable levels of uncertainty about how Brexit will affect their lives, careers and families, and the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties faced to secure their rights and their future here.

“EU citizens are our friends, colleagues, neighbours and, in many cases, our family in Scotland and make valuable and valued contributions to life in Fife and across Scotland. My heartfelt plea to all EU citizens who have chosen to live and work here in Fife and across Scotland is this: we value you and want you to stay with us.

“EU citizens in Mid Fife and Glenrothes can make use of Citizens Advice Bureau’s dedicated Support Service helpline on 0800 916 9847, access the Scottish Government’s Stay in Scotland online toolkit, and also approach me for help or advice by email to Jenny.Gilruth.msp@parliament.scot or by calling my constituency office on 01592 764815.”

ENDS

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