EU workers’ long-term future is key
Government immigration proposals have heightened fears over EU nationals’ status in the UK after 2020, according to Blacks Solicitors.
In a no-deal scenario, EU workers coming to the UK by 29 March could live and work here and obtain settlement, explained Louis MacWilliam, associate solicitor at Blacks.
“The major proviso is that all nationals and family members will have to register under the EU Settlement Scheme,” said MacWilliam.
Extended to EU citizens
“If the Withdrawal Agreement becomes law, then the Scheme will extend to EU citizens arriving up until 31 December 2020.”
However, proposals such as ‘no preferential treatment for EU nationals’ and a minimum income threshold of £30,000 would present challenges after that, he added.
With 24.3% of food industry workers being EU nationals, said MacWilliam, 57% of the sector’s business leaders were worried about the changes.
