As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, the growing number of civilians fleeing conflict have mounted pressure of European countries, including the United Kingdom, to ensue a safe and secure route is available to refugees.
Following calls from Members of Parliament from all parties, the Home Secretary today unveiled multiple concessions to the current visa programme as well as an expanded Ukrainian family scheme.
The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler's Ford, Steve Brine, was among a group of One Nation Conservative MPs who sent a joint letter to the Prime Minister calling on more support for those seeking refugee from war in the east. A copy of this letter can be found below.
Speaking in the House of Commons this lunchtime, Mr Brine shared the harrowing accounts of a constituent's family member in Ukraine quoting; "My own brother and his two small children and wife are hiding in the shelters under their home, not knowing what the next hour will bring, gradually running out of food and basic supplies."
The MP added; "Those of us with small children it's unimaginable.", as he welcomed the expansion to the family scheme which will directly help this constituent's family.
Steve close remarks highlighting the outpouring of support from local organisations referring to one such, saying; "A church in the Chandler's Ford bit of my constituency has been in touch during her statement to say they want to help. How can they even express an interest at this stage to get the ball rolling?"
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, responded saying; "Well, what I would say to my Honourable Friend is first of all can you send me the details of the church because obviously we know that through the sponsorship route [inaudible] picking this up.
We are working in fast time on all of this and things are moving very quickly, as he rightly said it's during the statement that he's been contacted. We want to take up every single offer, we really do, and there's a lot of coordination taking place in government."
More information
Read the full debate via Hansard
