On 21 January, less than a week after the crushing defeat of PM Theresa May’s ‘meaningful vote,’ (c.f. article No. 10965) the Conservative leader presented her ‘Plan B’ that will go before parliamentary vote on 29 January. In a surprise response to criticism by some 3.5 million EU citizens living in the UK of the settled status application fees, she announced they would no longer be applied. A timely announcement since it was as of 21 January that all EU citizens living in the UK could commence the application process for ‘settled status’. During her speech the PM also argued that Brexit would not lead to weaker social standards, included workers rights and committed to guaranteeing to Parliament that not only would the UK not revise down workers’ rights, but instead it would lead the way for workers’ rights. The PM emphasized she was seeking to work with business and the trade unions to manage the Brexit process.
‘Goodbye’ to the settles status fee of £65(for those aged 16 and over, €73.70) and £32.50 for others, (€36.80). PM Theresa May during her ‘Plan B’ presentation stated, “The government will waive the application fee so that there is no financial barrier for any EU nationals who wish to stay. Anyone who has applied during the pilot phase will have their fee reimbursed.”
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