The Home Office has announced an extension of funding to help vulnerable EU citizens to apply for settled status. £8 million will be made available for charities and councils working to get people through the EU Settlement Scheme in 2020/21, a slight fall on the £9 million allocated last year.

The announcement is welcome, if a little late. With the initial tranche of funding running out this month, and no word on an extension until now, some charities had already begun to cut back on services.

The money will not necessarily go to the 57 organisations currently funded. They have a guarantee of funding only until June, and must put in a new bid for more. The Home Office says that “the bid process will begin shortly and more details will be announced in due course”.