It's important that people wishing to apply for this scheme are offered as much support as possible, and, as has been mentioned previously, the deadline is fast approaching at the end of this month. In the last Senedd, the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee wrote to the Welsh Government with their recommendations. Their recommendations were for the Welsh Government to reiterate its support for these citizens, that they ensure that the support extends beyond the deadline, that they provide digital accessibility support, and that they provide support to Welsh employers to help them navigate the new immigration system.

It would be useful to hear from the Minister whether these recommendations have been accepted and implemented, and, if not, why not. There were already issues with the scheme; the pandemic has not only made these issues worse, but it has introduced new challenges for EU citizens applying to the scheme. This can be seen in the uptake and the application rate. Despite the high numbers of initial applications to the scheme, the application rate in Wales slowed down during the first pandemic. Could the Minister comment on whether there has been a slowing down in the application rate during the second wave, as was seen in the first, and will this mean that some people will miss out?

Also, according to the EU ambassador to the UK, some EU citizens have reported that travel restrictions mean that they could not access their documentation. This documentation is needed as proof of their residence in the UK. Is the Minister aware of this being a widespread issue, and, if so, has the Welsh Government offered or provided support to those impacted?

One area of particular concern to me is the digital-only nature of the application. The pandemic has intensified the UK's digital divide, and, as the scheme is a digital-only application process, it poses particular challenges for vulnerable groups already affected by the digital gap, such as older people and the homeless. We need to acknowledge these needs of the most vulnerable citizens, particularly those who might be at risk of digital exclusion. Could the Minister outline what particular steps has the Welsh Government taken to try and overcome and bridge this divide to ensure that no-one is left behind?

Further reports have outlined how EU citizens in Wales may struggle to qualify for full settled status as a result of the pandemic. The director of the Migration Observatory warned that people with pre-settled status may not know that they need to convert their status through a second application, and might forget the deadline without reminders. Is the Government confident that they are doing everything they can to ensure that those who need to make a second application are receiving reminders to do so? Additionally, the EU ambassador to the UK also explained that some EU citizens with pre-settled statuses have had to leave the UK during the pandemic. These citizens may be stranded in different countries due to travel restrictions. These citizens may struggle to provide the evidence of five years' continuous residence needed to get settled status. Has the Welsh Government therefore considered alternative strategies to support citizens who missed the application deadline, or missed application criteria, due to the circumstances caused by COVID-19?

Of course, ultimately this is a Home Office and Westminster matter, and I'm sure I'd be right in saying that perhaps this system and the new incoming immigration system from Westminster isn't the system that we or the Welsh Government would like to see. However, for now it is Westminster that controls this matter. Bearing in mind that some people will miss out on this scheme for these reasons, what further support will the Welsh Government give? Finally, will the Minister urge her counterparts in Westminster to put in place a robust appeals process for the people whose applications are yet to be completed due to the impact of the pandemic, to ensure, in the words of the First Minister in his open letter to EU citizens, that they

'are, and always will be, welcome in Wales'?

Diolch yn fawr.