EU citizens in the UK are being put at risk of “devastating consequences” after Brexit, including losing out on housing and jobs, MPs warn today.

The government’s plans to grant them “settled status” is heavily criticised for creating the same dangers that have ruined the lives of members of the Windrush generation.

EU nationals are set to be given a digital code to prove their status – but the Commons Brexit committee has branded the idea confusing and dependent on the goodwill of employers and landlords.

Its report urges ministers to distribute easy-to-use physical documents, warning people will otherwise be shunned by bosses and landlords fearful of fines if they employ or rent to an illegal immigrant.

“The experience of the Windrush generation shows that, where errors occur, it can lead to devastating consequences for individuals and their families,” the committee says.

“We are also concerned about the potential for fraud and the incentive for individuals to be exploited if they cannot persuade an employer or landlord of their status.”

Ministers have hailed the progress made on citizens’ rights as one of the big wins from the Brussels talks, but the committee warned that “substantial issues remain unresolved”.

Its report also calls on 27 remaining EU states to finally set out how 1 million British expats in their country can guarantee their status, warning they had been “left in the dark”.

People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Mandatory Credit: Photo by Guy Bell/REX (9725259aq) Marching down Whitehall - People's March for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal. Timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the 2016 referendum it is organised by anti Brexit, pro EU campaigners. People's March for a People's Vote, London, UK - 23 Jun 2018 Guy Bell/REX Rex People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators carry banners and flags as they participate in the People's March demanding a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on June 23, 2018, the second anniversary of the 2016 referendum. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in London on Saturday calling for a second vote on Britain's departure from the European Union. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images NIKLAS HALLE'N AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal A woman holds a placard as she joins EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participating in the 'People's Vote' march in central London, Britain June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS Reuters People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal epa06833888 Pro-EU demonstrators take part in a People's March anti-Brexit rally in Parliament Square in London, Britain, 23 June 2018. Protesters are calling for a referendum on the final deal. The protest is taking place on the second anniversary of the Brexit referendum. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal epa06833892 A pro-EU demonstrator waves a European Flag during a People's March anti-Brexit rally in Parliament Square in London, Britain, 23 June 2018. Protesters are calling for a referendum on the final deal. The protest is taking place on the second anniversary of the Brexit referendum. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators carry banners and flags as they participate in the People's March demanding a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on June 23, 2018, the second anniversary of the 2016 referendum. 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EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march – demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds taking part in the People's Vote march for a second EU referendum at Trafalgar Square in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 23, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. 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The UK government must redouble its efforts to protect their ongoing free movement between the 27 countries, which is under threat, it says.

And the committee backs the European parliament by calling for fees to be waived to register for settled status – provided UK citizens in the EU are offered the same.

The Home Office has set the cost at £65 for adults and £32.50 for a child under 16, arguing that is “less than the price of a passport”.

Ministers must also clear up what will happen to EU citizens who fail to apply for settled status by a deadline of June 2021 – six months after the end of the planned post-Brexit transition period.

Hilary Benn, the committee’s chairman, said the government had implied that citizens’ rights were “all sorted”, but warned: “The evidence we have heard suggests it is far from being finalised.

“These are people who have made their lives in the EU in good faith, or came to live and work in the UK, paying taxes, raising families and putting down roots.

“As things stand, both groups are likely to lose some of the rights they had previously. That’s not fair and it’s why we want to see further progress quickly.”

Theresa May has been criticised for refusing to act in the two years since the referendum, having blocked David Cameron’s proposal to guarantee all rights back in 2016.