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Government urged to extend deadline for the post-Brexit settled status scheme

Unison Cymru warns Covid-19 has prevented key workers in Wales from applying

THE government is being urged to extend the deadline for the post-Brexit settled status scheme amid warnings that Covid-19 has prevented key workers in Wales from applying.

Public services union Unison Cymru launched a campaign today urging 100,000 of its members to write to their MPs and request the deadline be extended past June 2021. 

The union warned that the pandemic has prevented many EU nationals from applying for settled status which allows people to continue living, working and accessing benefits in Britain. 

Unison Wales regional manager Bethan Thomas said this is because measures to support workers to apply such as scanners and computers in public libraries were no longer accessible during Covid-19. 

“Many of those who have yet to apply for settled status will have limited or no access to the wholly online application system or will experience significant financial hardship doing so,” she said. 

“These workers have been at the heart of the response to Covid-19 and deserve to have their rights protected.”

Chiara Caserotti, an Italian-born key worker, said he managed to secure settled status but would have “struggled to make headspace for an application during the pandemic,” alongside his job. 

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