Southwark Council keeps flying its EU flag in solidarity with the borough’s European residents as Brexit becomes official

31 January 2020

Southwark Council will continue to fly the European Union flag from its Tooley Street office even after Brexit comes into effect today (Friday 31 January), in a clear show of solidarity with its European residents.

Southwark just isn’t Southwark without its EU residents and the council is determined to ensure every one of the 41,000 EU residents in Southwark continues to feel that this is their home. Earlier in the week (Tuesday 28 January), Southwark Council’s Assembly unanimously agreed a motion to continue to promote the EU settlement scheme. This builds on the £300,000 commitment set aside by the council last year to ensure it could support EU residents, particularly the most vulnerable in the coming months.

Councillor Victoria Mills, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Brexit, said: “As far as Southwark is concerned EU nationals from the 27 EU member states remain part of our diverse and vibrant communities.

“EU nationals are our brothers and sisters, our partners, parents and neighbours. They have settled here in Southwark and make a huge contribution to the growth, prosperity, culture and community of our borough.

“Since 2016, EU nationals have been promised there will be no change for them as EU citizens who are already lawfully resident in the UK. For Southwark we are crystal clear that this is not a matter for debate and EU residents should never be treated any less favourably than they are at present.”

As of November 2019 just over half of Southwark’s estimated 41,000 European residents had applied for settled status. The council’s cross-party Brexit Panel will continue to work with local communities and the voluntary sector to make sure people who have still not applied, particularly in the under-represented Under 18 and Over 65 groups, have the right support and information to apply.

Details of the scheme and how to apply have been included in this year’s council tax mailing and a series of roadshows are planned for later this year. To avoid missing out, apply here by 31 December 2020 and get help with your application by calling 0300 123 7379 or visiting here.

Page last updated: 28 October 2022