THE SNP has secured a major victory for EU nationals living in the UK after Theresa May confirmed that the £65 application fee is to be abolished.
Theresa May said that the UK Government will waive the fee for EU nationals who apply for settled status so they can stay in the UK.
Under previous plans, those living in the UK and who wished to stay were expected to pay £65, with under-16s being charged £32.50.
Nicola Sturgeon last month promised her government would pick up the cost for NHS staff and other public-sector workers who have come to live in Scotland from other parts of the European Union.
Organisations such as the3million group have also campaigned against the charge.
Reacting the latest development, the First Minister tweeted she was "glad" to see the fee scrapped.
"Glad that UK Gov has belatedly dropped its plan to charge EU citizens a fee for settled status applications," she said.
Glad that UK Gov has belatedly dropped its plan to charge EU citizens a fee for settled status applications. @scotgov had already committed to covering cost for those working in devolved public services. Still regret that they will have to apply at all to stay in their home. https://t.co/xQAbQPJp5G
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 21, 2019
"@scotgov had already committed to covering cost for those working in devolved public services. Still regret that they will have to apply at all to stay in their home."
That move was blocked by the UK Government, according to Sturgeon.
READ MORE: UK blocks Scottish support for EU citizens' settled status fees
But now the UK Government has decided to abolish the fee.
“This is a major climb-down from a Prime Minister desperately looking to detract attention from her continued failure to make progress achieving a deal," said SNP MP Stuart McDonald.
“EU nationals should never have been asked to pay this fee – and it is welcome news that the UK government has finally listened. This does not change the fact that EU nationals should not be asked to apply for the status and rights they already have, and we now need clarity on whether the unrealistic deadline for applications will also be scrapped.
“This entire process underlines exactly why Scotland needs the power to create a fairer immigration system.”
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