Up to 30 January 2022 there have been over 6.4 million applications and over 6.1 million statuses granted under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) which is a remarkable achievement by both the Home Office and EU citizens. In this context, it was reiterated that all citizens who are already in the UK and who are eligible to be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement should file their application to the EUSS as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. The EUSS also allows for eligible family members to join their relatives living in the UK, which now has additional relevance in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Ambassador and the Chair also recalled that once granted status, it is also important that citizens can continue to exercise their rights as protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.

The implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement is complex. In this context, Sir Ashley Fox underlined that the Independent Monitoring Authority investigates areas of concern based on complaints reported by citizens, through its monitoring of UK public bodies (such as government departments, local councils, the NHS, the police, and others) and where it sees a need based on the information it gathers through its own work. Where issues affect large number of citizens or show an underlying problem with how citizens’ rights are being managed, the IMA has the power to carry out an inquiry, investigate further and, if necessary, take legal action to fix it. Citizens can register their complaints on the IMA’s website.

Ambassador Vale de Almeida said:

"We value the work the IMA is doing to protect the rights of our citizens as enshrined by the Withdrawal Agreement. Despite the good cooperation with the British authorities, we are still picking up many challenges on the ground for our citizens. Our further cooperation will remain of utmost importance."

He also highlighted that the EU Delegation continues to operate its public facing service through which citizens’ support organisations as well as EU citizens can obtain information and advice related, to their rights as protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. The service is available at www.eurights.uk. He also pointed out some of the challenges that the EU Delegation is picking up on the ground and the need to monitor these issues together with EU Embassies and stakeholders.

IMA Board Chair Sir Ashley Fox said:

“I was pleased to meet with Ambassador Vale de Almeida and members of the EU Delegation to outline the important work that the IMA has undertaken to date. This has included using our powers to ensure EU citizens continue to receive access to housing, social security and healthcare as they did before Brexit and to clarify their rights. We look forward to continued engagement with the EU Delegation as we carry out our duty to uphold the rights of citizens.”

Following the meeting with he IMA Ambassador Vale de Almeida met citizens’ rights support organisations [Settled, the European Movement, Citizens Advice Cymru] operating in Swansea and Wales who shared their experience on the practical challenges on the UK implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. The Ambassador thanked organisations’ continued support to EU citizens and their family members and offered the EU Delegation’s assistance through its public services.

Ambassador Vale de Almeida also visited Swansea University, where he met with the University leadership and senior scientists involved in EU-funded research projects. These include PATROLS, a €13 million international project led by Swansea Professor Shareen Doak and funded by the EU research programme, Horizon 2020. PATROLS develops innovative tools and laboratory techniques to assess the safety of nanomaterials, minimising the need for animal testing. Another significant Swansea University project is the Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network, CALIN, led by Professor Doak and Professor Steve Conlan. CALIN was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and unites university centres of excellence in Ireland and Wales to offer technology and knowledge transfer support to facilitate university-industry collaboration.