New figures released by the government state that 12,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the UK; 10,800 under the Ukraine Family Scheme and 1,200 under the Ukraine Sponsorship scheme.
Responding to the figures, Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, said: “These numbers confirm we have a Government, yet again, choosing control over compassion when it comes to granting refugees protection and one who appear to be totally out of step, not only with that of the British public, but the rest of Europe who have opened their doors to welcome Ukrainian families in desperate need.
“It’s clear that the visa schemes which were supposedly designed to ensure the safety of Ukrainians fleeing war and bloodshed are unfit for purpose. Asking Ukrainian families, who are scared, exhausted, and traumatised to fill out a long, and complex visa application is unacceptable and totally out of touch with the terrifying situation they find themselves in.
“The British public stepped forward in their tens of thousands to welcome Ukrainians into their homes, yet we are hearing they have been left feeling angry and frustrated that their gesture of support has been lost into a web of bureaucracy and chaos. So many of whom are digging into their own pockets to support Ukrainian families with accommodation at borders, as they await news from the UK Government.
“The Government must urgently review the use of visas and waive them as an immediate short- term measure, as has been done by the EU, and then look to introduce a simplified emergency humanitarian visa process to ensure that we can welcome those families who desperately seek safety in the UK.”
Lauren, an NHS nurse living in Devon, applied for a sponsorship visa on the day it opened, 18 March. She has heard nothing since and the family she is trying to sponsor and welcome here remain in limbo in Poland. Lauren said: “The stressful, emotional impact that this government is causing to people like me that are trying to help families fleeing war is horrendous. Why are the Government not helping me to help others? They are causing me and so many other potential hosts real distress.
“I applied for visas on the day the scheme opened. I have heard nothing further since and continue to be fobbed off by every single person that I try to speak to. My partner and I have been paying for the family we are trying to help to stay in a safe hotel in Poland, they could only stay in the train station for a short while. We thought it would be for a few days but 21 days later we are still doing this. The family are now are our friends, we care about them. It is a disgrace that the Government is relying on the British public’s compassionate nature rather than stepping up themselves.
“I can’t just sit on my hands waiting. I’m planning a protest outside the Home Office and everyone that wants to join to voice their anger are welcome.”
Colin, from Gloucestershire, has recently returned from assisting refugees gathering in Warsaw, Poland, and is waiting for a Homes for Ukraine visa to be processed for a Ukrainian to join him and his wife in the UK. He said: “I wanted to drive home with a family but it was clear that there was very little information about the new British visa scheme and, I thought, all you need is a person with a desk, laptop, poster and some leaflets in Ukrainian with bang up-to-date, accurate information explaining the visa system, what their rights are and offering help to fill in forms or access a website for more information. Then some of these tens of thousands of hosts here in this country who are desperate to help would be able to find matches but I think it’s going to be a slow, slow process.
“I have heard the opinion expressed by lots of people, both here and over there [in Poland], who feel like the government have made an online visa application but if it’s not got the right information and support where needed there will only be a trickle of refugees arriving which is appalling when so many lives are in real danger and there is such a wave of goodwill and generosity here to help.
“Really some of those people needing help could be on their way here to being met by their hosts within a couple of days if all the bits were joined together. My wife and I are hoping to welcome someone soon who has just filled in a visa application, and other friends in our town are helping with visas for women and children to be able to come. There is a circle of people here in the town waiting to help.”
* Read Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: visa data here.
* Source: Refugee Council