MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh welcomed to Citizens Rights Project ahead of their visit to Westminster. 

Last Friday (7 February), Chris Murray MP visited the offices of Citizens Right Project to discuss their continued work in supporting EU nationals living in Scotland navigate the EU Settlement Scheme, other migrant communities transitioning to eVisas and supporting people with pre-settled and settled status with welfare and financial inclusion advice.

This visit comes before Citizens Rights Project speak to a Select Committee at Westminster next month concerning the ongoing impact of Brexit has on rights, welfare and inclusion for EU citizens living in Scotland.

Citizens Rights Project:

• Has handled over 4,000 cases regarding the EU Settlement Scheme since March 2020 with over 700 of these coming in 2024/25
• It is aiming to support at least 750 migrants in Scotland until the end of August 2025, providing direct support or addressing queries with their application to transition to an eVisa.
• Has directly supported 80 cases with their Welfare and Financial Inclusion service since May 2023 which deals with highly complex situations

Citizens Rights Project CEO Noelia Martinez said:

“It was great to welcome Chris Murray MP to our offices today, who has long been a supporter of Citizens Rights Project. We are grateful to have the opportunity to speak in Westminster about the ongoing need for support to EU citizens living in Scotland.

Despite the UK leaving the EU 5 years ago, we are still seeing demand for support with the EU Settlement Scheme and we are now supporting many clients with the transition to eVisas. Our Welfare and Financial Inclusion service has also seen a continuous demand where we support migrants with pre settled and settled status with complex situations including housing and employment issues.”

Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Chris Murray said:

“The Citizen’s Rights Project is a vital resource for residents in Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. The transition to eVisas is a much-needed move that will increase Home Office efficiency. It is great to have charities like the Citizen’s Rights Project working in the sector to make sure that those affected receive the support they need to navigate this change.”

Background

Citizens Rights Project will be speaking at a House of Commons Select Committee on 27 March about Supporting EU Migrants in Scotland: The Ongoing Impact of Brexit on Rights, Welfare and Inclusion.