Greenwich council reassures EU residents over Brexit this Friday

A series of events to reassure residents concerned over this Friday’s Brexit are to be held.

Greenwich council bosses say they want to ensure that its community of around 32,000 residents from the EU know they are welcome to stay, live and work within the borough.

The authority will be holding events to help EU residents start their EU settled status applications.

The first set of events will be held on February 1 at Greenwich Centre, on February 8 at Eltham Centre and on February 15 at Woolwich Centre, all from 10am until 2pm.

More events will be held soon.

Postcards have been sent out to EU residents across the borough to raise awareness of the council’s support.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, leader of Greenwich council, said: “There is a lot of uncertainty around Brexit and we are not sure what will happen.

“I want all our EU residents to know that we are here for them and we will support them as much as we can.

“We value all that they bring and contribute to the borough – their hard work and dedication, cultures, diversity, and love of our community.

“We celebrate all of the vibrant and rich communities that make up our borough and we want them to stay.”

At present non-UK EU citizens can live, work and access services, healthcare and benefits.

But after Brexit residents will have to apply for new residence status, under the EU Settlement Scheme, which confirms that they live in the UK and have the right to do so.

The scheme will allow EU citizens to apply to continue living in the UK after Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

There will be no change to the current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on December 31 this year.

For more information on Greenwich council’s EU settled status events, the EU Settlement Scheme, and to check if you are eligible to apply, click here.

Pictured is the postcard sent to Greenwich’s EU residents