Today the Commons will debate regulations that will essenti…

The regs. are legion. Covering nearly every aspect of the Hostile Environment. These regs have been made using Henry VIII powers. They perfectly illustrate the problem with this power. A single debate on all clauses with no opportunity to amend is not good democracy. /2

The consequences are equally legion. Those who fail to get status will face problems with work, housing, benefits and risk of removal/criminalisation. Yes people with reasonable excuses can apply late to EUSS, but by then the damage may well be done. /3

What of those who apply late? Their status of not being able to work, rent etc. Continues until a decision is made. Increased waiting times and additional hurdles will undoubtedly lead to people delayed in this misery for some time. /4

Doesn’t seem right does it? The Withdrawal Agreement says that those with pending applications have rights until a decision is made (18(3)) so yes it is problematic in ways beyond what is right and just. /5

There is an oddity though. The department for health laid regs that do give protections to those with pending applications https://t.co/3qoPRaMjZ4 why? /6

Those who will miss the deadline will be the most vulnerable. We find ourselves in a familiar territory of the most at risk being further marginalised and losing so much. /7

What is the plan to prevent this? The Gov. say those with reasonable excuses can apply late and are doing awareness campaigns. This isn’t enough. Root to branch review and reform of the Hostile Environment is long overdue and the Immigration Bill was a missed opportunity /8

But I (and I’m sure others) recognise that is sadly a long term ambition. In the interim, why not put positive duties on decision makers to refer people for help to get status? Give them rights in the interim? Establish support and compensation for those impacted and more? /9

Covid has compounded the problems for those who miss the EUSS deadline. And the noise around ‘deal/no deal’ fails to educate the public at large what rights people impacted by Brexit have in the U.K. we’re already seeing people denied work etc. Because of bad decision making. /10

Finally, these regs are essentially the final nail to end freedom of movement. The immigration Bill ripped those rights up these regs create the Hostile Environment framework for EU citizens to navigate. It’s hard not to be very worried. /END

Today the Commons will debate regulations that will essentially tip those who have not yet acquired their EUSS status into the Hostile Environment from 1 July 21. Some thoughts: /1

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