James Cleverly’s comments come after the Home Office revealed only 1% of Ukrainian visa applications had been processed
A Tory minister has defended the government for offering just 50 visas to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion so far.
Foreign Minister James Cleverly said the UK was welcoming Ukrainians to its shores and supporting refugees abroad despite the Home Office confirming Sunday that out of 5,535 applications, around 1% of refugees with family links in the UK had seen their applications approved.
According to the UN, Poland has taken in an astonishing 1,027,603 refugees – having opened up the borders for visa-free sanctuary.
It’s understood more than 1.7 million civilians have fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion so far, but the European Union believes up to four million people may try to leave as tensions deepen.
Asked by Sky’s Kay Burley why the UK wasn’t making it easier for refugees, Cleverly said: “Well we are, we have made absolutely clear that we will be supporting refugees.
'13,500 people have asked to come to the UK from Ukraine, 50 have been told they can…' – #KayBurley
Europe Minister James Cleverly: 'We are going to make sure that we host Ukrainians in the UK.'https://t.co/cz5NTchyMw
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/JtHXluAyOZ
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 7, 2022
“At the moment the vast, vast majority of refugees are in countries neighbouring Ukraine and we are providing humanitarian support to those refugees via those host nation countries because that is where the problem is at the moment.
“Most of these people want to get back to their own homes as quickly as possible. We have made it clear that of course we will be generous and open-hearted as would expect to Ukrainians seeking to come here to the UK.”
Currently only those with a family member in the UK have been offered a legal route to Britain, but following a visit to the Polish-Ukrainian border, it’s understood Home Secretary Priti Patel will open a new, humanitarian route.
Speaking to The Sun she said: “In response to the desperation I saw with my own eyes at the Polish border two days ago, I’m urgently escalating our response to the growing humanitarian crisis.
“I am now investigating the legal options to create a humanitarian route.
“This means anyone without ties to the UK fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will have a right to come to this nation.”
Patel is facing mounting pressure to open a visa processing unit in Calais to assist Ukrainians attempting to flee across to Britain.
On Monday, it was reported people were being turned away from ferries at the Northern French port and sent back to Paris for sign-off.
Related Links
- France urges UK to do more to help Ukrainian refugees in Calais
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- Horror and humanity on Ukraine’s border: not all refugees are welcome
