EU citizens in Swindon are being urged to get their applications in for leave to remain as soon as they can.

Now that the Brexit transition period and freedom of movement has ended they need to apply to the Home Office by June 30 to carry on living and working in the UK.

And there are fears the social care and health sectors will be hit hard if a lot of them decide to leave.

Swindon For Europe member Steve Rouse said: “People shouldn’t wait to apply, it can really take a long time because with Covid, the backlog continues to grow.

“There are some EU citizens who are hard to reach, they are a bit older, or disabled, or have learning difficulties, so we need to help them.”

Home Office figures showed that by the end of September last year, 22,110 people successfully applied to continue living in Swindon.

The highest number of applications was submitted by Portuguese people -7,940 - followed by people from Poland with 3,840 and Romania, 2,210.

In an open letter to the borough council the group said: “The deadline for our EU citizen residents is fast approaching. Sectors such as social care, the NHS, and hospitality, in particular, will be hard hit if they decided to go home as a result of Brexit.

“Although there has already been a good take up of the settled status scheme in Swindon, people will have been missed.

“So, it would be helpful if Swindon Borough Council could write to those still eligible for the scheme in Swindon to remind them of the deadline.

“Additionally, it would also be good to reassure EU citizens that they can vote in the local elections in May as, given how many things have changed, people might not be aware that they retain this right.”

Council leader, David Renard told the Adver: “I replied to Steve to say there are not many who have not applied but that we would seek to contact those who have not.”

A total of 5,060,600 applications have been received since the scheme opened in March 2019, according to provisional Home Office figures to the end of January.

Minister for future borders and immigration Kevin Foster said: “European citizens are our friends, family and neighbours which is why I’m really proud we’ve already surpassed five million applications to the hugely successful EU Settlement Scheme.

“I would urge all those eligible to apply now to secure their status in UK law. The scheme is designed to be simple and straightforward, but support is available seven days a week by telephone and by email, and we’ve funded 72 organisations across the UK to provide assistance to those who need help applying.”