This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49569137

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hundreds of EU citizens use Windrush scheme to stay in UK Hundreds of EU citizens use Windrush scheme to stay in UK
(about 7 hours later)
More than 800 EU citizens have been granted the right to remain in the UK using a system intended for those affected by the Windrush scandal. About 800 EU citizens have been granted the right to remain in the UK using a system intended for those affected by the Windrush scandal.
Many are using it because of a lack of trust in the government's main EU settlement scheme, which MPs have said is "blighted" by technical issues.Many are using it because of a lack of trust in the government's main EU settlement scheme, which MPs have said is "blighted" by technical issues.
Unlike the Windrush scheme, it does not provide a physical ID card showing a person's indefinite right to stay.Unlike the Windrush scheme, it does not provide a physical ID card showing a person's indefinite right to stay.
The Home Office said it gives people "secure digital status".The Home Office said it gives people "secure digital status".
It added that the settlement scheme "protects the rights of EU citizens in UK law".It added that the settlement scheme "protects the rights of EU citizens in UK law".
'Jumped through hoops''Jumped through hoops'
The Windrush scheme was set up after individuals arriving from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1971 were wrongly told they were in the UK illegally, despite living in the country for decades.The Windrush scheme was set up after individuals arriving from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1971 were wrongly told they were in the UK illegally, despite living in the country for decades.
But the application system is open to anyone who arrived, or whose parents arrived, before 1989.But the application system is open to anyone who arrived, or whose parents arrived, before 1989.
Individuals are invited to a post office to provide fingerprints and an electronic signature, and would then receive a biometric ID card.Individuals are invited to a post office to provide fingerprints and an electronic signature, and would then receive a biometric ID card.
Daniela Fudge Condon - whose mother came to Bradford from Italy in the 1950s to work in the textile mills - said she feared that, without physical documentation, EU citizens could be treated in the same "horrific" way as the Windrush generation if the government's purely digital system went wrong.Daniela Fudge Condon - whose mother came to Bradford from Italy in the 1950s to work in the textile mills - said she feared that, without physical documentation, EU citizens could be treated in the same "horrific" way as the Windrush generation if the government's purely digital system went wrong.
In May, MPs also warned a similar scandal could take place with EU citizens if "serious concerns" were not put right.In May, MPs also warned a similar scandal could take place with EU citizens if "serious concerns" were not put right.
Ms Fudge Condon's mother was successful in her application, but she argues it was unfair the 82-year-old had to apply at all.Ms Fudge Condon's mother was successful in her application, but she argues it was unfair the 82-year-old had to apply at all.
"My mum's already jumped through hoops and gone through an immigration system back in the 50s. She shouldn't have to do that again," she told BBC Two's Victoria Derbyshire programme."My mum's already jumped through hoops and gone through an immigration system back in the 50s. She shouldn't have to do that again," she told BBC Two's Victoria Derbyshire programme.
Currently, EU nationals who have lived in the UK for at least five years have until the end of 2020 to apply to the EU settlement scheme in the event of a no-deal Brexit, or the end of June 2021 if there is a deal. Currently, EU nationals - and their families - living in the UK by 31 October have until the end of 2020 to apply to the EU settlement scheme in the event of a no-deal Brexit, or the end of June 2021 if there is a deal.
Home Office estimates suggest more than 800,000 individuals - fewer than a third of those eligible - have been granted citizenship so far. Home Office estimates suggest more than a million individuals - fewer than a third of those eligible - have been granted settled or pre-settled status so far.
Dominique Zaccari - who arrived from Paris in 1973 and went on to establish an English language school in Bournemouth with her husband Antonio - also used the Windrush scheme to ensure she had physical documentation.Dominique Zaccari - who arrived from Paris in 1973 and went on to establish an English language school in Bournemouth with her husband Antonio - also used the Windrush scheme to ensure she had physical documentation.
She said she received her ID card within a month of applying.She said she received her ID card within a month of applying.
She admitted to feeling "terribly guilty about getting it off the back of the suffering of the Windrush people", but added that ultimately it was about "obtaining a document which I felt was due, because we've been here this long".She admitted to feeling "terribly guilty about getting it off the back of the suffering of the Windrush people", but added that ultimately it was about "obtaining a document which I felt was due, because we've been here this long".
The Home Office said the EU settlement scheme "protects the rights of EU citizens in UK law and gives them a secure digital status which, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with. The Home Office said: "Applying to the EU settlement scheme is quick and easy, and over a million people have been granted status so far in the first few months since fully launching.
"We are always looking to grant status, not to refuse." "It protects the rights of EU citizens in UK law and gives them a secure digital status which, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with.
"There is plenty of support available if people need help, and they have until at least December 2020 to apply."
Follow the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Facebook and Twitter - and see more of our stories here.Follow the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Facebook and Twitter - and see more of our stories here.