To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for applying a lower suitability threshold than for adults for children from the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland living in the UK who are applying for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Answered on
5 August 2019
Under the relevant provisions of the Immigration (European Economic Area Regulations) 2016, children under the age of 18 benefit from a higher level of protection and can only be deported on imperative grounds of public security.
The Home Office has not made an assessment of the case for applying lower suitability thresholds for children applying for settled status under the scheme. The EU law public policy and public security test will continue to apply to conduct committed before the end of the implementation period if the UK leaves the EU with a deal, or to pre-exit conduct if we leave without a deal.
This is consistent with the Withdrawal Agreement and the Free Movement Directive.