Trust to pay fees for EU staff to settle after Brexit

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is set to pay the government fees and offer support through the application process for their EU staff who wish to remain settled in the UK post-Brexit.

Regardless of whether the withdrawal agreement is passed, or if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal, all EU citizens living in the UK will be required to apply for settled status or pre-settled status before December 31, 2020. An adult application with the Home Office costs £65.

However, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has stated that it will pay the government fees for EU staff wanting to remain living in the UK after Brexit, with Maggie Oldham, chief executive of the trust, reported as saying that her staff would be offered financial support.

Oldham said: “We are trying to show how much we value this group. One of our key risks is workforce and what we don’t want to do is lose any member of staff who fears the whole thing is too complicated, they can’t navigate through the processes, or if there is a financial barrier.

“I don’t think the £65 is the main barrier for our staff, but more knowing that we will support them and help them navigate through the process. We want EU staff to know they are valued. They don’t have to tackle this on their own, and we don’t want anyone to think ‘I’ve had enough, I’m off’.”