MEP meets University of Exeter European staff and students to celebrate their contribution to economy and society

The event was held to coincide with a national day of action, called One Day Without Us, to celebrate the contribution of migrants to the UK.

Ms Moody, a South West Labour MEP and Professor Sir Steve Smith discussed the concerns of EU citizens working and studying in the UK following the Brexit vote with staff and students. The event, a roundtable discussion and afternoon tea, was held earlier this week.

Sir Steve said: “This continues to be a very unsettling time for our colleagues from EU and European Economic Area countries. We continue to press the Government that the status of all EU and EEA citizens who are already living and working in the UK should be confirmed at the earliest opportunity and should not be linked to negotiations about the status of UK citizens living in EU countries. The University places great value on the part they play in making the University a thriving, diverse and global community and I will continue to use all the opportunities open to me to lobby the Government to provide a greater level of certainty to you as soon as possible.”

Ms Moody said: “It was a delight to meet with staff and students who have chosen to live and work in the UK, as is their right as EU citizens.

“This meeting demonstrated the benefit that we get from our fellow EU citizens and I’m deeply troubled by the Government’s failure to provide them with the guarantees they deserve following last year’s referendum.

“The positive contribution these citizens and the many thousands like them across the South West make to our society and our economy is invaluable, and it is vital that we publicly recognise this contribution.”