The Isle of Man may need to follow suit if the UK makes changes to its EU settlement scheme.

Both the UK and Isle of Man schemes launched at the end of March, to deal with applications from EU nationals registering for settled status in the light of Brexit.

Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) praised the Isle of Man scheme but, in Tynwald on Tuesday, raised the issue of a House of Commons select committee report into the UK scheme.

’There remains quite a significant risk over a lack of clarity over quite a number of aspects of the scheme which, seeing as our scheme is so closely aligned to the UK’s, must surely also apply to the Isle of Man,’ he said.

The report’s recommendations including ensuring that citizens have free access to advice on the scheme and the need to clarify the legal rights and status for those who fail to meet the deadline to confirm their status.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the Manx Government’s external relations were monitoring what happens in the UK.

’Should they make any changes, we will of course follow those closely,’ he said.

There are more than 4,000 EU nationals living in the Isle of Man.

There is no facility in the Isle of Man for online applications for settled status - applications have to be made in person or by post. But an EU citizen who lives in the Isle of Man could apply online to the UK scheme.