East Suffolk Council

East Suffolk and the exit from the European Union (Brexit)

Information and resources for residents, businesses, employers and the voluntary and community sector on preparing for Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme.

EU Settlement Scheme

Advice for residents

If you are a European Union citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to get either settled or pre-settled status.

The deadline for applications is:

• 30 June 2021 if the UK leaves the EU with a deal

As an accredited organisation, East Suffolk Council is able to offer digital assistance for people who wish to apply to the EU settlement scheme. This ranges from the completion of a full application to assistance with the digital scanning of your documents for verification.

We offer this service from our Lowestoft office at the Marina and also from our council customer points at Beccles, Woodbridge and Felixstowe libraries. If you would like further information on this service please contact us.

Please note that we are unable to offer advice about immigration. We recommend immigration registered advisors who can provide legal advice.

• More information about settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families
• Sign up for email updates about the status of EU citizens in the UK

Advice for businesses and employers

The EU Settlement Scheme allows your employees and their close family members to continue to live and work in the UK after Brexit.

Using the scheme will mean that they are eligible for public services, such as healthcare and schools, public funds and pensions, and British citizenship, if they want to apply and meet the requirements.

The Government's employer toolkit contains a range of ready to use leaflets and posters to help explain the scheme to your employees.

General advice for businesses, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector

Advice for businesses

• Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Brexit resources: a range of news, information and checklists for businesses
• New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Brexit advice for your business: includes bespoke advice from government to businesses, funding opportunities, information for businesses from government and national business representatives

Advice for the voluntary and community sector

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has Brexit guidance and resources for voluntary and community organisations.