Securing the rights of EU citizens: The case for continued funding of the sector

Since the launch of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) in 2019, civil society organisations across the UK have played a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable EU citizens and their family members are able to secure their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Through Home Office grant funding, these organisations have provided essential legal advice and practical support to people who would otherwise be at serious risk of losing their lawful status and access to services.

In 2019, more than 70 organisations were funded to deliver this work nationwide. By 2024–2025, this has been reduced to just nine organisations. This dramatic reduction in resourcing and capacity comes at a time when need remains high and complexity is increasing. The current funding contract is due to end in March 2026, creating significant uncertainty for organisations and the communities they support.

Demand for EUSS support has not diminished. An average of 30,000 applications continue to be made to the Home Office each month. Over 111,000 applicants are still waiting for a decision, and nearly 17,000 individuals remain in the appeals system. At this stage of the Scheme, applicants are more likely to face complex circumstances such as late applications, refusals, barriers to getting relevant evidence, digital exclusion, and safeguarding concerns. This makes having access to accredited legal advice not just a good option, but essential for a just outcome.

Home Office grant funding is a cornerstone of a wider, fragile funding ecosystem that enables the sector to deliver this essential work. Without sustained and adequate investment, organisations are forced to scale back services, lose specialist staff, and turn away people in urgent need. The consequences of this are severe: individuals risk losing their status, access to housing, healthcare, employment, and social support. The result could be thousands of people facing long-term insecurity despite their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

With less than six months until the current funding contract ends, members of the Civil Society EUSS Alliance (the Alliance) are calling on the Home Office and Parliament to act decisively. There must be a clear, long-term commitment to funding that recognises both the ongoing demand for EUSS support and the increasing complexity of cases.

The Alliance is united in its view that future funding must be targeted and responsive to need. Funding allocations should reflect the realities of EUSS casework, and the breadth of specialist expertise required to support vulnerable communities effectively.

As convenor of the Civil Society EUSS Alliance, Seraphus has collaborated with organisations across the sector to develop a request for further funding to support EUSS advice and assistance for vulnerable people across the UK. The document sets out the current context, drawing on Home Office statistics; outlines the key challenges faced by organisations supporting individuals with EUSS applications, informed by sector insights and experiences; and presents the sector’s recommendations on future funding and engagement.