Nearly a month ago I wrote to my MP to express my concern over the pathetic response of the Home Office to the Ukranian Refugee issue. Finally I have a response - platitude laden though it may be. I have appended it to this post.
I presume that it was put together by some poor little civil servant or parliamentary aide but you'd expect some sort of sense check wouldn't you. Take this sentence: "A few weeks ago, I co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister, alongside over 40 other Conservative MPs, calling on the Government to provide as much support to our European partners who are currently the first safe havens for Ukrainian refugees, namely Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.". As much support as who? or what? Come on - at least make sure your reply is understandable!
As for "I am proud that Britain continues to lead.....". It doesn't, quite evidently from the numbers.
Enough whingeing; here's the full response:
Dear Richard ,
Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the support that the Home Office is providing to Ukrainian nationals.
The Russian attack on Ukraine is an unprovoked and anti-democratic act
of aggression and I am appalled by the conduct of Putin’s expansionist
regime. The situation in Ukraine remains deeply concerning so I welcome
the work that the Home Office has been doing over the course of recent
weeks to stand up a comprehensive package of support for those fleeing
Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals already in the UK.
The situation is developing quickly, and so the Government has to evolve
its plans to adapt. I therefore welcome the expansive Ukrainian Family
Scheme which allows family members of British nationals, UK settled
persons and certain others to come or stay in the UK. Those joining the
Scheme will be granted leave for three years and will be able to work,
study and access public funds. The Scheme is also free and does not
include any salary or language requirements.
Ukrainians already in the UK can either extend their visa or switch to
another immigration route, where eligible, even if their visa does not
normally allow them to do so. Guidance on the support available
to Ukrainian nationals and their family members can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk
Furthermore, I warmly welcome the launch of the new 'Homes for Ukraine'
scheme which will allow individuals, charities, community groups and
businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety - including those
with no family ties with the UK. Individual sponsors will be asked to
provide homes or a spare room rent-free for as long as they are able,
with a minimum stay of six months. In return, they will receive £350 per
month. Ukrainians arriving in the UK under this scheme will be granted
three years' leave to remain, with entitlement to work, and access
benefits and public services.
Whilst the package of measures that the Government has announced is
welcome, many constituents across Guildford, like yourself, who have
taken the time to write to me would like to see the Government go
further and act in conjunction with other European countries to share
the responsibility for supporting Ukrainian refugees.
A few weeks ago, I co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister, alongside
over 40 other Conservative MPs, calling on the Government to provide as
much support to our European partners who are currently the first safe
havens for Ukrainian refugees, namely Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary
and Slovakia. The letter called for a more flexible and pragmatic
approach to those Ukrainians wishing to seek temporary refuge in the UK
until it is safe to return to their lives in Ukraine. This crisis is not
another migration crisis, it is a crisis of war, and the UK must offer
sincere and immediate support for the Ukrainian people. I would like our
message to be clear: Ukrainian victims of war seeking refuge are
welcome.
I am proud that Britain continues to lead and is providing support in
every aspect of this Ukraine conflict. Ministers have assured me that
they continue to keep the Government’s handling of the situation under
review as it develops, and I will continue to feedback to them
regularly.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Best wishes,
Member of Parliament for Guildford
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 5851
