NEW figures have revealed that more than 10,000 EU nationals will be staying in Colchester and Tendring after Brexit thanks to a successful application bid for residency.

Home Office figures reveal that by the end of September 2020, 8,650 people from Colchester and 1,860 from Tendring successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before the UK left the EU last week.

Those who have lived in the UK for five years, meet the criteria, and apply before June 30 can receive settled status.

Pre-settled status is for those who have lived in the country for less time and gives them five more years after which they can try for settled status.

Of the 8,800 applications dealt with in Colchester and 1,860 from Tendring between August 2018 and September 2020, 6,170 granted applicants settled status and 4,310 pre-settled status.

Around 190 applications were either refused, withdrawn, or invalid.

There were also around 430 applications from people who are not from the European Economic Area.

It comes as Essex MPs welcomed the UK finally cutting ties with the EU.

The transition period ended on New Year’s Eve more than four years after the referendum.

Staunch Brexiteer Sir Bernard Jenkin, Harwich and North Essex MP, described it as taking “back control of our destiny.”

Speaking during the debate Sir Bernard said: “Some said that the EU would never allow the UK to leave EU control and to prosper.

“What the EU negotiators called ‘governance’ became the fundamental difference of principle in the EU negotiations.

“The agreement may be less than many would have liked in many respects but I pay tribute to the Prime Minister, who held absolutely firm on governance.”

Speaking after the deal was voted through Colchester MP Will Quince described it as an “exciting new era.”

He added: “The Government acknowledges that this deal will still mean some change for people and businesses in the UK. I look forward to a bright future from 2021 onwards, with the many benefits that this deal brings for our country.”