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EXPOSED: The secret backdoor bringing migrants into Britain – and the £1.8bn EU ‘stitch-up’ behind it
A report by Brexit Facts4EU and two campaign groups says the EU Settlement Scheme’s “Joining Family Members” route remains open-ended and has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to seek UK residence, including many from outside the EU. The report argues the route merits greater scrutiny while public debate focuses on irregular Channel crossings.
Home Office figures cited in the article show about 8.84 million applications have been decided under the scheme, with roughly 6.1 million approved. The report estimates that processing the scheme accounted for £1.8 billion of Home Office spending between 2020/21 and 2025/26, based on its share of total casework; that figure excludes benefits. Former Brexit minister David Jones called for greater transparency, while former minister John Redwood criticised the scale of migration.
In short
- Report says the family route remains open-ended.
- About 6.1 million applicants have been approved.
- Processing costs are estimated at £1.8 billion.
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The case for
Supporters of the route can argue that it honours commitments to EU citizens who built lives in Britain before Brexit, allowing close family members to join them and preserving family unity. They may also say that a formal, documented route is fairer and easier to oversee than leaving families without a clear way to apply, while the reported application and approval totals do not by themselves show misuse.
The case against
Critics can argue that an open-ended route, particularly one extending to family members from outside the EU, risks creating migration on a scale that was not adequately examined when Brexit arrangements were made. Given the reported volume of applications and estimated public cost, they say the government should publish clearer data on eligibility, outcomes and spending, and consider whether the rules remain proportionate.
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