UK Nationals Support Fund: objectives 2020 to 2021
Updated 24 June 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-development-assistance-oda-fcdo-international-programme-spend-objectives-2020-to-2021/uk-nationals-support-fund-objectives-2020-to-2021
1. Overview
As part of the Withdrawal Agreement signed with the EU, UK nationals may need to apply for residence status in the EU country where they live. The UK has also concluded the Separation Agreement with EEA EFTA states, and UK nationals may also need to apply for residence in these countries. The UK Nationals Support Fund (UKNSF) was launched in March 2020 to provide practical support to those UK nationals that may need additional help when applying for residency. This support is being delivered through 8 implementing partners across several EU and EFTA Member States. Funding to support this work is managed through the International Programme.
2. Objectives on UK Nationals Support Fund
- to protect the citizens’ rights of UK nationals under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements who are resident in EU/EFTA member states as at the end of the transition period
- to provide practical support to UK nationals that need additional help when applying for residency in the EU/EFTA country where they live. This may include pensioners, disabled people and people living in remote areas. The support may consist of providing guidance on the documents needed to support an application, how the application process works, and if necessary, support where there are language barriers or difficulty accessing online information and services
- to ensure that the Fund operates with a suitable geographical coverage across EU/EFTA states
- to ensure that support is inclusive and delivered to meet the diverse needs of a diverse UK national population
- to complement outreach activities and support for UK nationals provided by our network of Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions across Europe
- to complement the support services put in place by Member States themselves
3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the UK Nationals Support Fund
The UKNSF is entirely non-ODA funded.
4. UK Nationals Support Fund during financial year (FY) 2019 to 2020
The UKNSF spend in 2019 to 2020 was £95,006. This was used by implementing partners to prepare for delivery in financial year 2020 to 2021 by setting-up their projects, recruiting staff, developing delivery plans, and identifying the locations of UK nationals that may need additional support during 2020.
5. UK Nationals Support Fund allocation for FY 2020 to 2021
The UKNSF budget for 2020 to 2021 is £2.5 million, allocated on a grant basis to eight implementing partners. Current funding lasts until the end of March 2021. We will review the future need of the fund taking into account the residency systems in place in EU member states at that time.