Millions of non-EU migrants have used the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to come to Britain despite the scheme ending four years ago, analysis by Facts4EU and GB News has revealed.
A total of 2.3 million applications have been lodged under the scheme since its official deadline of June 2021.
That number is just over twice as big as Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city with 1.1million inhabitants, though it is possible for people to make more than one application.
140,357 applications have been made in the last quarter of 2024 alone, which is six times the number of people who have crossed the channel in small boats in the last six years.
It comes as a huge blow to Brexiteers as they point to the scheme as evidence Brexit freedoms have not been exploited properly.
Migration sceptics say the widespread use of the scheme years after its deadline is proof freedom of movement has not been stopped and that backdoor immigration to Britain is still contributing widely to our population explosion.
The EUSS is a UK immigration scheme that allows EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members to apply for settled or pre-settled status to continue living, working, and accessing benefits in the UK after Brexit.
There are two main ways people used the scheme to move to Britain. Firstly, if they had lived in the UK for five years they could apply for ‘Settled Status’.
If they hadn’t reached five years, they could apply for ‘Pre-Settled Status’, which can be upgraded once they hit the five-year mark.
Secondly, people could use the scheme by proving they have a connection to someone living in Britain, which includes spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren, dependant parents and grandparents, and children born or adopted after 31 December 2020.
Of the 2.3 million applications, 1.9 million have been from EU nationals, with the rate of applications being broadly consistent over the last four years.
Applications to EUSS since deadline passed
Facts4EU
Given it is called the EU Settlement Scheme, it isperhaps surprising that during the same period (June 2021 to December 2024), 351,647 applications were made by non-EU nationals.
The rate of applications from outside Europe has been increasing in recent years, hitting a peak of 29,549 in the last quarter of 2024.
Applications to EUSS from non-EU nationals since deadline
Facts4EU
Indeed, earlier analysis of the data revealed that 176 non-EU countries contributed to this number, though this also included 2019, 2020 and the first half of 2021.
In this slightly longer period, India was the largest contributor with 116,395 citizens migrating to Britain through the scheme, followed by Pakistan with 96,771 and then Brazil with 80,778.
There are three major ways people can apply to move to the UK through the EUSS, ‘joining family members’, ‘late applications’ and ‘repeat applications’.
While declining slightly since June 2021, it is again perhaps surprising that tens of thousands of non-EU citizens are still joining family members so long after the deadline.
A total of 532,659 applications have been made under this category since the application passed, equivalent to a city the size of Manchester.
Applications to EUSS from family joiners since deadline passed
Facts4EU
There has also been a shocking 686,304 ‘late applications’ since the deadline for the scheme passed.
The Home Office says, “late applications may be accepted in certain circumstances where there are reasonable grounds for the delay.”
This number is falling, but at 21,791 for the last quarter remains very high.
Late applications to EUSS after deadline has passed
Facts4EU
It comes as Brexiteers continue to decry Labour’s refusal to rule out a possible youth mobility scheme with the EU.
Dubbed the ‘backpackers and baristas deal’, the youth mobility scheme would see freedom of movement opened up between the EU and UK for people aged 18-30.
A staggering 64million EU residents would be eligible to move to the UK under the scheme which EU leaders are pushing for.
The EU has been pushing for the scheme for nearly a year, and it has featured prominently in Starmer’s push for a ‘reset of relations’ with Britain’s former trading bloc.
Critics say it would be a betrayal of Brexit and is the beginning of a slippery slope back to freedom of movement, likening it to back door immigration like the EUSS.
Proponents argue it would give young people freedom to study and work abroad while it could also be used by the UK as a negotiating chip to win concessions on things like trade.
One bone of contention is that the EU would get a much better deal than the UK if the scheme went through.
Research has highlighted that in the EU, there are over 5million 30-year-olds who could benefit from the scheme, likewise 29-year-olds and 28-year-olds.
In Britain, there are roughly 900,000 people in the same age groups who could use freedom afforded in the scheme, about 6.5 times less people.
LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
By agegroup: Number of EU youths who would benefit from a youth mobility scheme versus the number of UK youths who would benefit
By agegroup: Number of EU youths who would benefit from a youth mobility scheme versus the number of UK youths who would benefitFacts4EUNumber of EU youths who would benefit from a youth mobility scheme versus the number of UK youths who would benefit
Number of EU youths who would benefit from a youth mobility scheme versus the number of UK youths who would benefitFacts4EUThe UK does already have reciprocal youth mobility agreements with 13 countries and territories, but the EU/UK youth mobility scheme differs in that it would be a blanket scheme the EU’s 27 members could benefit from.
The government has repeatedly said it will not return Britain to freedom of movement.
The EU is still pushing Labour on the scheme however, suggesting it be called a ‘cultural enrichment programme’ or ‘youth experience scheme’ instead.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
