FAMILIES across the North East have hit out at the government over its Homes for Ukraine scheme – citing that “more can be done” to allow Ukrainians to enter the UK “as a matter of urgency”.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme launched on March 14, with the aim of allowing individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring Ukrainians, including those with no family ties to the UK, to safety.
About 12,000 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes as of Tuesday, April 5, according to Home Office figures.
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Some 10,800 people had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme but only 1,200 had made it to the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data published on the department’s website showed.
In the region, Alison Williams, who lives in Crakehall, Bedale, signed up to be part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme on March 14.
However, a month on, she has heard nothing from the government, despite waiting for Ukrainian couple Anton and Natalie and their two children to move over to the UK – something that has frustrated the North Yorkshire childminder.
She said: “I’ve got a family in Ukraine hoping and praying they’ll be allowed over to the UK soon. It’s the wall of silence we’re getting from the government. Will it be tomorrow, will it be this way for another month? Who knows!
“We just want to get them out of an unimaginable situation. We call them every day and they ask about the situation. We don’t want them to go through this anymore and I call on the government to improve this situation.”
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Meanwhile, Michelle Allison, who lives in High Consicliffe, is in a similar position.
After signing up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme in March – she has arranged for 37-year-old mother Tetiana and two daughters Vikoriia, 17 and Yevheniia, 14, from Ukraine to travel to the UK but can’t move forward due to “all of the red tape”.
She said: “It’s an embarrassment and the government should hang their heads in shame when so many of the British people have offered their homes to help in this emergency.”
The prospective families aren’t the only ones that have been critical on the government.
MPs across the North East have written to Home Secretary Priti Patel asking for answers on the serious delays that people are facing when taking refugees into their homes.
Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has contacted the government – calling for greater urgency in processing visas for those fleeing Ukraine, following the Russian invasion.
In her letter to the Home Secretary, the MP states that ‘there are significant delays in speaking with officials, and this is leading to further anxiety and frustration for constituents wanting to support applicants.
She said: “Whilst I absolutely recognise the pressures Home Office staff must be facing, I am very concerned with the delays in obtaining updates. When we have been able to speak with officials and have been assured by Home Office staff that individual cases would be escalated, this has repeatedly not been actioned and no progress has been made.
“This situation clearly demands greater urgency. The devastating crisis in Ukraine has led millions to flee their home, with many seeking sanctuary in the UK. Constituents across Newcastle North have stepped up to support and offered help through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme but feel that they are being let down as a result of Home Office delays.
“We desperately need to see these delays addressed and action taken to ensure a swift and fair process is in place. Promises made to the Ukrainian people, other seeking sanctuary, and the British public, must be honoured.”
On Friday (April 8), Home Secretary Priti Patel apologised “with frustration” after coming under fire over “delays” in the time it is taking for Ukrainian refugees to arrive in the UK.
But she denied visa requirements and checks are slowing the process and causing delays, insisting the UK will “absolutely see changes in numbers” as work continues.
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