Today's Home Office media stories include coverage on the EU Settlement Scheme, domestic abuse and migrants crossing the Channel.
EU Settlement Scheme
The Independent, the Times, Sun and Today programme all reported on the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) figures released yesterday.
The Sun reports that more than a third of the EU nationals living in Britain have been given leave to stay post-Brexit, with just one turned down over their criminal past. The article reports that Home Office figures revealed 1.15 million people had been approved under the EU Settled Status scheme. The Times notes that applications from EU citizens to stay permanently in the UK rose to 300,000 last month.
The Independent reports that a leaked draft resolution seen by the paper shows that the EU legislature is preparing to express its “grave concern” at the approach of the EUSS.
A Government spokesperson said:
The Government has made an unequivocal guarantee to EU citizens living in the UK.
The EU Settlement Scheme is performing well and provides a simple way for EU citizens to guarantee their rights – over 1.1 million people have been granted an immigration status that is secured in UK law.
We want the EU and Member States to match the UK’s unequivocal guarantee to provide greater certainty to UK nationals living in the EU.
Domestic abuse
The Prime Minister has confirmed that the Government will resurrect proposed legislation on domestic abuse, the Times and Sun report. The papers report that the Prime Minister pledged on Twitter to include the Domestic Abuse Bill in the Queen’s Speech.
Separately, the Today programme and BBC Breakfast covered domestic violence killings. The coverage suggested that the Government has promised to re-introduce proposals to tackle the problem when Parliament resumes. It added that the Government is expected to announce the Domestic Abuse Commissioner next week.
Victoria Atkins, Minister for Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said:
These tragic cases are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic abuse and we are determined to do more to protect victims and bring more perpetrators to justice.
Through Clare’s Law we have already empowered people to learn if their partner has a violent past and in the Queen’s Speech we will confirm that we will be reintroducing the Domestic Abuse Bill in the next session.
We are also taking action to restore public confidence in the justice system by recruiting 20,000 more police officers and reviewing sentencing to make sure violent offenders are properly punished.
Migrants crossing the Channel
The Mail, Mirror, Sun and Metro all report that migrants have vowed to keep trying to reach Britain despite French plans to demolish their camps.
The Mail reports that yesterday saw the destruction of a settlement holding up to 400 migrants near the port of Calais. It adds that the other main camp on the French coast – in the Grande-Synthe suburb of Dunkirk – is also at risk of imminent closure. The Mail reports that local officials have said migrants are now anxious to cross the Channel as soon as possible, with Brexit and winter approaching.
The Metro reports that migrants pay up to 2,000 euros for individual crossings and up to 6,000 euros for a family.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
It’s an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.
Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk. People choosing to make the journey are putting their lives, and the lives of their children, in serious danger.
We are working closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle this dangerous and illegal activity. Last month the Home Secretary and her French counterpart agreed to intensify joint action to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel. This includes drawing up an enhanced action plan to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings.