Welcome to the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements
What are we working on?
Complaints
What’s New
IMA Chair Recruitment Update
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Nicole Lappin has been chosen as the preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).
New practice note for Scotland on claims relating to citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement for the IMA
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has secured a new practice note in Scotland which will come into force on 1 December 2024.
IMA calls for clarification from the Home Office
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has written to the Home Office after receiving information that citizens who hold a valid Certificate of Application (CoA) are having issues at the UK border, including being denied entry to the UK or are subject to removal directions. This includes administrative review of applications pending.
How absence from the UK may affect your EUSS status
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has issued a reminder to EU and EEA EFTA citizens (and their family members) with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) how they can spend time outside the UK without it affecting their status.
IMA works to ensure landmark decision is correctly implemented by DWP
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizen’s Rights Agreements (IMA) is continuing to seek clarity from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) following an important ruling from the Court of Appeal which impacts on whether citizens have the rights to claim benefits to prevent them from becoming destitute.
IMA urges parents and carers to check their children’s EUSS application status
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is encouraging parents and carers to check their children’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application status.
IMA is assured that Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland are protecting the rights of looked after children and care leavers
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is assured that all five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have confirmed they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the rights of eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers are protected.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Issues Reminder Over Summer Travel
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is issuing a reminder about the right to travel to the UK with a valid national identity card.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Completes Initial Review Into English Local Authorities For Looked After Children
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has completed the initial review into the way English local authorities ensure looked after children and care leavers from EU and EEA EFTA countries have their rights protected in the UK now that it has left the European Union.
IMA Welcomes Home Office Decisions On Measures To Implement Landmark Judgment
UPDATE – 18 JUNE 2024 – To include that the first proposed change for the removal of pre-settled expiry dates from View & Prove and right to work (including licensing) and right to rent checking services for third parties has been undertaken.
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed Home Office decisions on changes to the EU Settlement Scheme for pre-settled status holders in relation to how a significant High Court judgment on
citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements will be implemented.
Citizens’ Rights’ Watchdog Calls For Resolution On Landmark High Court Case Implementation
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights’ Agreements (IMA) is calling for a resolution on a landmark judicial review judgment against the UK Home Office relating to the implementation of parts of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
Interim Chair Appointed to IMA
The Deputy Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), Leo O’Reilly has been appointed as its Interim Chair as the recruitment process for a permanent Chair gets underway.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Welcomes Supreme Court Appeal Decision
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has highlighted a decision by the Supreme Court to refuse the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions’ (SSWP) request to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling in which the IMA had intervened.
Citizens Rights Watchdog Gives Update on Judicial Review
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) continues to have concerns about the Home Office implementation of a significant High Court judgment related to citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements.
IMA reminds EU citizens of what to expect at the UK border
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is reminding EU and EEA EFTA citizens of what to expect when travelling amid further reports of difficulties at the UK border.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Marks Third Year in Operation
As the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) marks its third year in operation it is reflecting on some of the areas where it has taken action to ensure the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members are being upheld by public bodies.
IMA survey identifies concerns about current and future protection of citizens’ rights
The third annual survey undertaken by the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), which ran from April to June 2023, found the top three areas where citizens continued to experience difficulties accessing their rights were employment, travel and healthcare.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Gives Update on Judicial Review
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) continues to be concerned about the implementation of the High Court judgment in relation to rights under the Citizens’ Rights Agreements and continues to work with the Home Office to seek assurance that the action taken addresses the findings of the judgment.
Court of Appeal Hands Down Judgment
The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgment in the case of Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v AT.
IMA is assured that local authorities in Wales are protecting the rights of EU looked after children and care leavers
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements is assured that all 22 local authorities in Wales have confirmed they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the rights of eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers are protected.
Citizens’ Rights Watchdog Urges EU Settlement Scheme Late Applicants to Check Their Application Evidence
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is urging citizens with reasonable grounds for applying late to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to make sure they are providing sufficient information and evidence to demonstrate these.
IMA acquires new Practice Direction
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has received approval for a new Practice Direction which will come into force on 1 October 2023.
Four non-executive members reappointed to IMA board
The Lord Chancellor has reappointed Ronnie Alexander, Joyce Cullen, Marcus Killick and Leo O’Reilly.
IMA welcomes Cabinet Office updates to recruitment website to account for rights of late EU Settlement Scheme applicants
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed changes made by the Cabinet Office to update the Civil Service nationality requirements for posts advertised via the Civil Service Jobs website.
IMA Chair Steps Down
The Chairman of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), Sir Ashley Fox resigned with immediate effect on Monday 11 September after being selected as the Parliamentary Candidate for the Bridgwater constituency for the Conservative Party.
IMA launches new inquiry to investigate EU Settlement Scheme application delays
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has launched an inquiry after receiving reports of citizens experiencing delays with their EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications.
IMA issues statement following Home Office response to inquiry findings
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has noted the response by the Home Office to our inquiry into Certificate of Application (CoA) delays.
Home Office publishes new guidance on EUSS reforms
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is encouraging EU and EEA EFTA citizens who intend to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to familiarise themselves with new guidance from the Home Office.
IMA responds to Home Office plans to implement judgment following judicial review
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has noted Home Office information about how it will implement a High Court judgment in relation to the rights of pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), but has expressed disappointment at the lack of meaningful engagement to date and the lack of clarity in the proposals for citizens.
Home Office failed to comply with obligation to issue Certificates of Application immediately to EU Settlement Scheme applicants in some cases, IMA inquiry finds
The UK, through the Home Office, failed to comply with its obligation under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements to issue a Certificate of Application immediately to EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants, for particular types of application.
New IMA Chief Executive appointed
Miranda Biddle has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).
EU citizens may have been wrongfully charged for NHS treatment, IMA finds
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has identified that some unsuccessful applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) may have been wrongly charged for NHS treatment.
IMA launches third annual survey to measure EU citizens’ trust in public bodies to protect their rights
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is seeking the views of European nationals and their family members in its third annual survey.
IMA intervenes in Court of Appeal Proceedings
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has intervened within the ongoing proceedings of Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v AT.
IMA statement on concerns over EU Settlement Scheme
A spokesperson for the IMA said, “On the 18th January this year, the Home Office made us aware of an exercise to update UKVI accounts of EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants refused status between June 2021 and April 2022, where those accounts had continued to show a Certificate of Application rather than a refused status.
Independent Monitoring Authority successful in landmark High Court challenge against Home Office
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements has been successful in a landmark High Court case which will help provide clarity for millions of citizens with pre-settled status.
IMA intervenes in Tribunal proceedings
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has intervened in Tribunal proceedings.
IMA granted permission to intervene in Court of Appeal proceedings
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has been granted permission to intervene in a case before the Court of Appeal.
EU citizens watchdog takes steps to secure rights of looked after children and care leavers
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has launched a review to find out what measures local government across the UK is taking to ensure eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers have their rights protected.