A Norwegian woman living in Walthamstow has spoken out about Government plans to charge EU citizens to stay in the UK following Brexit.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan earlier this week called on the Government to put a stop to these charges.

Natasha Bennett, 28, from Norway, lives in Walthamstow and has been living in the UK for over three years.

Norway is not an EU member state and declined to become part of it in referendums in 1972 and 1994.

But as part of the European Community in London, Ms Bennett feels strongly about the fate of EU citizens living in the UK.

Ms Bennett said: “It think it is unfair to charge people a fee to stay after many Europeans have worked and paid tax here over several years and in that way are contributing a lot.

“At least the cost is only a fraction of what it costs to become a citizen, although for low income households it can still be a significant amount.”

The debate about whether the UK will leave the EU without a deal continues after MPs voted down Theresa May’s Brexit deal earlier this week and Ms Bennett raised concerns about the rights of EU citizens.

She even felt it important to make sure she has proof of her time living in the UK even though she is not an EU citizen.

Ms Bennett said: “There are still just too many uncertainties and over the last few years I have been keeping a record of all my activities such as my addresses and where I have been working to prove how long I have been in the country.

“I am lucky that I can go back to my country where I will find work but many other Europeans are not as fortunate and it’s a shame that the life they have built is potentially at risk.”

The European Movement Waltham Forest also spoke out about the charges EU citizens could be faced with.

Richard Newcombe the chairman of the group said: “Many EU citizens have worked in the UK for years and made exceptional contributions in many aspects of life in the UK.

“We also know they make a positive contribution to the wealth of the country giving more in taxes compared to the services they use.

“We must treat our fellow Europeans with appreciation and dignity. This would be a symbolic way of showing our respect.”