To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any correspondence they have had with the UK government regarding extending the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme, in particular for older people and those in care homes.

While Immigration including the EUSS are not devolved matters we acknowledge the valuable contribution EU Nationals living here make to our society, culture and economy.

Officials continue to liaise with the Home Office on the impacts of EUSS and in regular discussions have encouraged consideration of an extension to the EUSS deadline. They have also sought flexibilities and protections for those having ‘reasonable grounds’ to make a late application. While the Home Office has advised that extension of the deadline is not being considered, guidance on ‘reasonable grounds’ to make a late application has been provided which includes where someone is isolated, vulnerable or who did not have the digital skills to access the application process. This aligns with the barriers older EU Nationals may face.

To encourage uptake, the Executive Office has supplemented the UK wide public information campaign with a local campaign and since March 2021 has expanded this to cover TV, out-of-home and press advertising to help target individuals such as the elderly who are harder to reach.