COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing has welcomed Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May that the hugely controversial Settled Status fee for EU citizens will be scrapped, following what has been a successful campaign by the SNP.

Ms Ewing has previously condemned the scheme that planned to charge EU citizens a £65 administration fee for their right to continued residence in the UK. Applications for children were to incur a charge of £32.50.

Speaking on Tuesday Ms Ewing said: “EU nationals in my Cowdenbeath constituency should never have been asked to pay this fee in order to remain in their own homes and maintain the rights they already have.

“The SNP has been persistent and determined on this issue and I am glad that the UK Government has finally seen sense and dropped their appalling plans".

Ms Ewing added: “This is a major U-turn from a beleaguered Prime Minister, who is desperately trying to cling onto power. But this entire sorry process underlines precisely why Scotland needs the powers to create a fairer immigration system.

“EU citizens will always remain welcome in Cowdenbeath, in Fife and across all of Scotland – they are valued members of all of our communities, our friends, neighbours and colleagues.”