Published: 15th October 2019 The new Immigration Bill is set to give EU citizens and family members the right to appeal decisions made through the EU Settlement Scheme, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Prior the Queen’s Speech, the Government’s position was that the right to appeal would be contained in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and would only have effect in the event of a deal. This was because an appeal right was required by the draft Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU. But yesterday’s Queen’s Speech briefing confirmed that an appeal right will be written into the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill, which means that it should be guaranteed regardless of whether there is a deal with the EU. Dr Joe Tomlinson, PLP’s Research Director, said: “Decisions made through the EU Settlement Scheme will have an enormous impact on the lives and careers of millions of EU citizens and their families. When so much is at stake, it is only fair that those affected should have a right of appeal. That right should exist regardless of whether the UK leaves with or without a deal. PLP has long argued that there should be an appeal right for applicants to the scheme no matter how the UK leaves the EU. Yesterday’s Queen’s Speech indicates that the Government now accepts that position.”