Many people are concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and have been asking what the UK is doing. The Home Office has announced a series of measures which I summarise below together with links to the detail. This is an evolving situation which is under constant review. However, I have already pointed out to Government that the organisation with a remit for displaced people is the Council of Europe and that they should not reinvent the wheel but make use of its facilities. In particular, I made the offer to the Home Secretary to help the Government keep in contact with the situation on the ground in countries which neighbour Ukraine by using the good offices of me and the Delegation I lead to the Council of Europe. Most refugees are likely to wish to stay near the border with Ukraine and are unlikely to wish to come to the UK. This is acknowledged both by Labour and by the Government. With this level of uncertainty it will be necessary to be flexible in dealing with the issue of refugees and in providing support to the neighbouring countries to Ukraine.
In the first phase, announced on 28th February, the Home Office set priority for support to resident British nationals and their families who want to leave Ukraine to come to the UK with visa an immigration staff working to process visa applications as quickly as possible. This has been followed up with a second phase of support announced on 1st March. In this rapidly evolving situation the Home Office is keeping the situation under close review. Whilst we all want to help as best we are able it is important to remember that there is also a huge security risk which the Government also has a duty to include in measures. This cannot be underestimated. Intelligence indicates that Russian troops are infiltrating Ukraine and merging into Ukrainian forces and also indicate the presence of extremist groups and organisations.
There is Ukrainian Family Scheme, which will significantly expand the ability of British Nationals and people settled in the UK to bring family members to the UK, extends eligibility to adult parents, grandparents, children over 18, siblings, and all of their immediate family members including step-children. Under this scheme, which will be free, those joining family in the UK will be granted leave for an initial period of at least 12 months. They will be able to work and access public funds. Emergency changes to the Immigration Rules need to be made to enable this and a bespoke application process will be set up by Friday 4th March.
In addition the Home Office is enabling a Ukrainian Sponsorship Humanitarian Visa Offer which will provide a route to the UK for Ukrainians who do not have family ties with the UK. At the time of writing details on this are awaited.
The Home Office has set up a customer hub in Parliament for MPs and their staff to raise concerns in relation to Ukrainian issues such as access to the UK. I have dedicated one of my staff to be available to make sure we can raise cases whether I am in Parliament or elsewhere on Parliamentary business. We currently await details of the personal information that will be required in relation to individuals wanting to come to the UK. If anyone would like to raise an individual case please email me with details at [email protected]
