Almost half of EU citizens living in the UK fear that their rights will be less respected and that they will not be treated like the British in the future. This is evidenced by a study by the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA), an organization that protects the rights of European Union citizens, among others.
EU citizens retain the same rights to live, work and obtain social security in the UK after Brexit and must register before 30 June through the EU Settlement Scheme.
Although the majority of the study’s 3,000 respondents from 27 countries feel they have been treated the same way the British have been so far, nearly half (44 percent) are not confident this will continue into the future. the case.
Catherine Chamberlain, the institute’s director general, said the investigation showed that many Europeans do not trust institutions. Moreover, not one in two has heard of his rights as a citizen. For example, only 48 percent are aware of mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
1 in 10 will leave VK
One in ten participants (11 percent) plan to leave the UK after June 30, 2021, when the registration deadline ends. Reasons for this departure include distrust of the government, a feeling that the UK is a less welcoming country due to Brexit and concerns about losing rights.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 3.6 million EU citizens were living in the UK in 2019. However, at the end of March 2021, the Home Office had already received 5.6 million registration applications.
The IMA concludes, “Public authorities have a vital role to play in restoring confidence among European citizens.” In doing so, they must pay more attention to “vulnerable and marginalized” people.
