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UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has said he will not be welcoming a Ukrainian refugee into his home as part of a government UK immigration scheme. The Homes for Ukraine scheme was recently launched by Westminster, with thousands of Ukrainians registering their interest that sees people in the UK with a room to spare becoming a sponsor.
In an interview with Sky News, when asked whether his family would be participating in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Mr Sunak responded: “No, I think everyone will be helping in the best way that they can. As I say, I’m full of admiration for those who can do that. My wife and I will be helping in other ways.”
Opening for UK visa applications on 18 March, the Homes for Ukraine scheme received more than 100,000 expressions of interest within the first two days of its launch. Sunak said: “Checks on those applying are being done right now.”
Nearly 10,000 UK visas granted
Sunak added: “In terms of visas that have been approved, my understanding is that about 25,000 have completed their applications. I think almost 10,000 have been granted already.”
Prior to the launch of the scheme, the Home Office came under fire having initially granted very few UK visas to Ukrainians fleeing the bombardment of their homeland by Russia. It’s understood that the Home Office had only issued 50 visas in the days shortly after the Ukraine-Russia conflict began.
This rose to 300 shortly afterwards, but amid a huge public outcry and pressure from opposition ministers, refugee charities and UK immigration advocates, the Home Office has now issued thousands of UK visas.
However, the application scheme has been blasted for being too complicated, forcing Ukrainians to ‘jump through hoops’ in order to secure a UK visa.
Meanwhile, Rushi Sunak admitted that he didn’t know the ‘exact movements’ of Ukrainians who had been welcomed into the UK and those who are starting their journey to Britain.
UK criticised
Britain came under heavy criticism amid its initial response to the Ukraine crisis and has since been blasted for refusing visa-free entry for those fleeing war – making the UK the only European nation not to allow Ukrainians in, visa-free.
Instead, the UK government launched a family scheme that allowed Ukrainians with relatives in Britain to come and settle in the country. The application process has been described as ‘shambolic’, with refugees finding it extremely complicated and being forced to travel to visa centres that are miles away from their location.
New data shows that more than 20,000 people are currently waiting on a decision from the Home Office to join family members in Britain.
Britons get involved
Following the launch of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, more than 150,000 Britons have expressed an interest in opening up their homes to those fleeing the fighting.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, said that he was ‘humbled’ by the British public’s response to the programme, admitting that he did not expect many people to be so hospitable.
“We’re in an initial stage of this work but I’m very grateful that the UK government and citizens are opening up their hearts, and sometimes homes, offering Ukrainians to stay here,” Mr Prystaiko said.
“I’m humbled by the sheer number of people who are opening up, sometimes just saying, ‘I have a spare room, it’s not even a spare house, or flat, it’s just a spare room.’ This is something that’s very unusual,” Prystaiko added.
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