EU nationals (other than Brits) make up approximately 12% of the Addenbrooke’s workforce – about 1000 employees.
Together with Cambridge University, Addenbrooke’s was invited to take part in Government’s piloting of the European Settlement scheme, to be rolled out nationally on March 30. The idea is to facilitate early settled status for staff (though not for their family members, who will have to wait to apply after from March 30). The pilot ran from November 29 to December 21.
Addenbrooke’s, which does not have cash to spare, covered the £65 fees. The application process operated only via a specific Home Office App on an Android device – iPhones could not be used. So, Addenbrooke’s purchased a number of Android devices for this purpose, but then the Home Office app proved problematic.
It’s unclear how many staff successfully completed the application process. Meanwhile, the legal firm Mills and Reeve was hired by Addenbrooke’s to advise on queries and concerns.
Advice for guaranteeing continuing residency and working rights is to apply for British citizenship, the cost of which could not be borne by Addenbrooke’s and would fall to staff. This currently amounts to £1330 per adult, and £1012 per child under 18. One must first secure Settlement Status; an application for citizenship can be made after 12 months.
(Theresa May has just announced she would scrap the £65 fee when the scheme is rolled out – will Addenbrooke’s get their money back?)
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