News and Views

Welcome to the Brexit Bulletin – providing an update on recent developments relevant to local authorities and any upcoming parliamentary activity.

Update from the Local Government EU Exit Team

As this is our first bulletin since the European Parliamentary elections, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of our colleagues in councils for your hard work. Putting in place the practical arrangements needed in such a short time is testament to local government’s ability to deliver.

In one area that we have spoken to, 239 premises were booked, 1457 staff were appointed for polling day and the count, 9,846 additional registrants were processed and 2,392 additional postal votes were issued – all in a matter of weeks!

Thank you to electoral teams across the country for their hard work.

Update on the EU Settlement Scheme

The Home Office has published a list of charities and voluntary organisations across the UK which are being funded to provide help and information to vulnerable EU, EEA and Swiss citizens applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The 57 organisations are located across the UK to ensure services are available to those who most need it. Please feel free to make contact with relevant organisations in your area to explore how you might work together effectively. The full list is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-community-support-for-vulnerable-citizens

The Home Office has also published a postcode checker tool which you can use to find your nearest ID scanner locations:
https://www.gov.uk/id-scan-eu-settlement-scheme

Key existing resources for local government are listed on the local government Brexit Preparedness page (link below) and include:

• Local authority toolkit:
  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/799889/EU_Settlement_Scheme_Local_authority_introduction.pdf
• Local authority introduction to the Settlement Scheme:
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-community-leaders-toolkit/toolkit-introduction-how-to-use-the-local-authorities-toolkit-in-your-community-or-network
• Translated information materials:
  https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-translations

Access to Social Housing and Homelessness Assistance

MHCLG have updated guidance on access to social housing and homelessness assistance to reflect recent amendments to legislation. The amendments clarify the government’s position on access to services for those granted pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eea-nationals-in-the-uk-access-to-social-housing-and-homelessness-assistance-in-a-no-deal-scenario

Brexit and Local Government Select Committee Response

Last week, MHCLG published our response to the Housing, Communities & Local Government Select Committee report on Brexit and local government. The Government has accepted the ten recommendations made by the Committee.

The full response is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brexit-and-local-government-response-to-the-hclg-select-committee-report

A consolidated list of guidance is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-government-brexit-preparedness