Responding to the first Home Office figures on arrivals of Ukrainian refugees to the UK, which reveal that just 1,200 people – less than 3% of those who’ve applied – have arrived under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP said: “Tens of thousands of British families have offered to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees, but the Government is squandering their amazing generosity with needless bureaucracy and delays.
“It is appalling that such a tiny number of refugees have been allowed into the UK, more than a month after the Home Secretary announced this scheme. This is a humanitarian emergency, but Priti Patel is putting paperwork before people.
“The Government must match the compassion shown by the British public and allow Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK now, without first having to apply for a visa.”