Immigration: EU Nationals

(asked on 14th May 2019) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 21 of the Memorandum of Understanding between HMRC and the his Department on the EU Settlement Scheme, for what reason the exchange of data between HMRC and his Department will continue until April 2026.


Answered by
Caroline Nokes Portrait
Caroline Nokes
This question was answered on 20th May 2019

As set out in the MoUs with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), if the automated check is unsuccessful or the person cannot be found during the initial check made during the online application, a Home Office caseworker may instigate the check again following the submission of the application if there is reason to believe a successful match is possible and it will benefit the applicant.

Information on how the automated checks calculate periods of UK residence as well as the tax and benefit records that are included in the automated checks has been published on gov.uk and can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-uk-tax-and-benefits-records-automated-check.

Page 27 of the published MoU with HMRC indicates this agreement will be in place until April 2026. The date of April 2026 was considered appropriate to account for all applications to be received under the scheme – including those granted pre-settled status at first application with limited UK residence and would therefore need several years more time in the UK before qualifying for settled status. The exchange of data will only occur when an application is received under the scheme. The MoU is also subject to biennial review to ensure it remains accurate and fit for purpose.

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