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Monique Hawkins Profile picture
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15 Oct, 6 tweets, 4 min read
While I welcome the promises in this article towards those who don't apply for status under the EU settlement scheme, because they are considered to have a "reasonable grounds" (it mentions example of 8-yr old 'looked-after' child), I am very confused. 1/
theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
In the article, @AlbertoCostaMP says that "the minister [@kevin_j_foster] has assured parliament that EU nationals who fail to apply by the grace period deadline of 30 June will remain legally here if they have a reasonable excuse".

I would be overjoyed if that were true. 2/
After all, it is one of the problems that @the3million has been highlighting in the absence of a declaratory status. (see 'Interim Status' on page 2 of our briefing t3m.org.uk/t3m_SafeSettle…).

Amendment 3 on the Immigration Bill seeks to address this (@childrensociety) 3/
But Baroness Williams of Trafford said very clearly in the House of Lords on 30 Sep "However, they will not have those rights in the period after the missed deadline and before they are granted status" 4/
So back to the article, for an 8-yr old "child in foster care who may not discover their application had not been made until they were an adult", will that person have been WITH or WITHOUT lawful status in the interim 10 years?

It REALLY matters.
@kevin_j_foster @AlbertoCostaMP
This was raised by @LabourLordsUK Lord Rosser (bit.ly/3jo8dvq) also by Baroness Hamwee and @SarahLudford

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More from @monlouhawk

Monique Hawkins Profile picture
4 Oct
EU citizens will have to rely on a digital-only status to prove their rights after June next year.

To me, it is sheer common sense that a physical backup is needed, because digital - while lovely when it works - doesn't always work.

I've been arguing this from...
... first principles for almost two years now.

We know large computer systems often fail - in general.

But recently, the list of just Government IT failures have been staggering.

Let me list a few, then tell me that EU citizens don't need a physical backup of their status.
Let's first just look at the passage of the immigration bill through parliament. (I've chosen that bill because there's an amendment on it, to give us physical proof of status, to be debated and voted on tomorrow, Monday 5th October).
Read 9 tweets
Monique Hawkins Profile picture
30 Sep
My lovely (widowed) mum lives in the Netherlands. If she needs my help in future, I want to be able to move and look after her.

If I had JUST UNTIL MARCH 2022 to be able to make that move and bring my British husband, I would be in a total panic.

Luckily, the Dutch government..
.. recognises how unfair that would be, given that I moved to the UK under EU free movement.

So they've clearly stated that I will keep that right (to bring my British husband to NL) for my lifetime.

The UK government on the other hand, is not being so kind to its own citizens.
They are ripping that right away from British citizens who, under EU free movement had legitimate expectation they could return to the UK in future with their family.

Why are they doing this?

It's genuinely beyond me. We're talking a finite group of people.

The excuse given is
Read 5 tweets
Monique Hawkins Profile picture
14 Sep
Except I can't watch it live because Parliament TV has had a glitch.

If that doesn't prove individuals need to have a physical backup proof of settled status I don't know what does.

Digital is great - WHEN IT WORKS.
A backup is needed - FOR WHEN IT DOESN'T

#DeniedMyBackup
@SarahLudford @oatesjonny
Last week during the debate the email scheme for peers to request speaking turns went down as well.

I'll say it again - @the3million is not opposing digital status.

We're only asking for a physical BACKUP for situations and digitally excluded people for whom it doesn't work.
Read 4 tweets
Monique Hawkins Profile picture
18 Aug
I feel this otherwise excellent article misses the point entirely when it says "One of the strengths of the Westminster parliamentary system is that it occasionally produces governments with real power to effect change, should they try to enact it." 1/ theatlantic.com/international/…
This is hoping for two things to come along at once - a party with a good majority and a uniquely talented leader.

And at the same time expecting that party to act in the UK's long term interest, whereas the UK's parliamentary system uniquely rewards short termism. 2/
The major difference between the systems of the US / UK on the one hand, and Germany and the Netherlands on the other, is the difference between winner-takes-all systems, and cooperate & compromise systems.

3/
Read 6 tweets
Monique Hawkins Profile picture
22 May
Why does the #DeniedMyVote legal challenge still matter, and why are we sincerely urging you to help reach our crowdfunder target?

Let me connect some very important and highly relevant dots.

crowdjustice.com/case/discrimin…
TLDR:

"You are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, and we want you to stay"

Except we'll make your life difficult, chuck extra obstacles in your way, will give you settled status but will keep checking other stuff so you don't feel toooo settled.

This case can HELP.
First, a bit of background:

during the European Elections in May last year, thousands of EU citizens told us:

"I was #DeniedMyVote".

They were turned away at the ballot box, simply because they had not submitted an extra form that only they had to submit.
Read 19 tweets
Monique Hawkins Profile picture
6 May
I was invited yesterday to have a Covid-19 PCR test (I am not a keyworker, but as a volunteer using the COVID Symptom Tracker).

I thought I'd just set out my experience of the testing process.
Firstly, I was impressed with the smoothness of the test booking process.

The self-test kits to be sent home were no longer available for my chosen day.

But I'm lucky that I can drive, and I was given a choice of test sites near me, and there were spaces available.
I was very keen to not have to do the test myself, so I was reassured that the centre I chose (Cattle Market Car Park) said that there would be a choice between having someone administer the test, or me doing the test myself.
Read 21 tweets

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