Launching the 'call for evidence', the Independent Chief Inspector, David Bolt said:
My first report on the EU Settlement Scheme was published on 2 May 2019 and looked at the development and testing of the Scheme up to January 2019.
My second report was published on 27 February 2020 and reviewed the Scheme's operation from the public launch on 30 March 2019 up to the end of August 2019, focusing on the Scheme's overall governance, efficiency and communications
The recommendations I made to the Home Secretary for improvements to the Scheme and the Home Office's responses are available on this website.
I am about to begin a further inspection of how the Scheme is working, particularly for vulnerable groups, such as children under local authority care, victims of domestic violence or of modern slavery, and those who are digitally or socially excluded and hardest to reach.
I am therefore inviting anyone with knowledge or experience of the Scheme since August 2019, to write to me by 31 July 2020 with their evidence.
I am keen to hear from individuals who have applied or are yet to apply, and from anyone who has provided assistance to applicants, including organisations who have worked with the Home Office to support the Scheme. I am particularly interested in:
- what is working well and why, with examples ("success stories")
- what is not working, practical difficulties, concerns and recommendations
- the consistency and usefulness of advice received from the Home Office
- the lived experiences of vulnerable individuals and groups
- factors preventing individuals from applying or delaying the progress of applications
- the support, including funding, training and guidance, provided by the Home Office to those assisting applicants
I have not yet finalised the scope of this inspection and would be pleased to receive suggestions about any areas that should be included in addition to those mentioned above.
