The number of successful applications by Hampshire residents to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme continues to increase.

The scheme is designed to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.

It involves an online registration process, which has been designed specifically to enable those residents, already lawfully based in the UK, to remain living and working after June 30, 2021.

Councillor Andrew Joy (pictured), Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Communities, Partnerships and External Affairs, said: “Latest figures show that, with some 35,000 applications to the scheme in Hampshire, approximately 80% of Hampshire’s EU citizens had signed up to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme by the end of June.

“This is a 16 per cent increase in total applications since March which is very encouraging. We want to reassure all of Hampshire’s EU residents that they are highly valued and very welcome here; and for those who have haven’t yet applied and wish to do so, there’s still time, there’s no cost, so please do take a look at the information and help available if needed.”

The council adds that support and advice is available for those needing help with the online form or assistance with complex cases at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Citizens Advice Bureau Southampton has been funded by the Home Office to provide an EUSS support service to help vulnerable people in the region, and the Southampton Registration Service is offering an ID scanning service.

Guidance about how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme is set out on the Government’s webpage and is available online in 26 European languages.