‘Disgust’ at new ‘jolly’ Home Office UK settlement video

Campaigners have been angered by the ‘cheery’ music and stock images of people smiling as it outlines the government’s EU settlement scheme.

The video outlines the applications fee for the process – £65 for an adult or £32.50 for children under 16.

It details how the government will check the identity, UK residence status and criminal records of all EU citizens.

‘Getting status under the scheme means you can continue to live, work and study in the UK as you can now,’ says the upbeat video. ‘We’re making the application process as quick and user-friendly as possible.’

Journalist Gavin Esler tweeted: ‘Christmas good cheer in this Yuletide gift from the British government.’

Ed Davey MP said: ‘Brexit-backing MPs should hang their heads in shame. Look at what you are doing to millions of our fellow citizens who have lived & worked in our country for years.’

Stella Creasy MP wrote: ‘A ‘jolly’ message this Christmas from govt to say Brexit means we want to charge you to live in the country you have made your home and contributed so much to over decades. EU friends and neighbours – you deserve so much better than this. UK – be better than this!’

Campaign group the3million tweeted: ‘We guess being reminded over Christmas of the ‘need to apply’ to stay in the country we call home, when we finally want to switch off from the uncertainty Brexit is causing to us 3.6m EU citizens, will go down pretty badly in households across the UK. Poor timing @ukhomeoffice.’

Another tweeter simply responded: ‘Disgusted – nothing else to say.’