The former Conservative Minister for Housing, who lost his government role in last autumn’s reshuffle, welcomed Maria, 40, and her two children to Stansted Airport earlier this week. The Minister for the Environment, Victoria Prenti, received a 25-year-old Ukrainian refugee two weeks ago, but on the basis of an existing visa protocol and not the newly established Homes for Ukraine program. The sponsorship program was introduced last month amid controversy over the government’s initial policy toward Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, which is now in its seventh week. The program allows people in the UK to sponsor Ukrainian individuals or families, including those with no family ties to Britain, to live in their homes for a period of at least six months. However, he has been widely criticized, and earlier this month Refugee Secretary Richard Harrington admitted in a live radio interview that it was “shameful” that the plan “took so long” to be implemented. According to the latest figures, 16,400 people have arrived in the UK under all visa programs, but only 3,200 under the Homes for Ukraine program, with less than half (45.1%) of visa applications submitted under of this program have been approved. Speaking on the Daily Telegraph’s Chopper political podcast, Jenrick said: “I think the process has been too bureaucratic and I think the Home Office often falls into that trap. “There were simple things we could and should have done from the beginning, such as having the uniform in Ukrainian, for example. “And I’m not sure if you should check on minors, who are extremely unlikely to pose a threat to this country.” This map shows the extent of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Press Association Pictures) Jenrik, who lives with his wife and three daughters, also described the experience as “quite emotional” as Maria arrived in the UK with her two children, 11-year-old Christina and Boden, 15. years. He added: “It was a very difficult experience for them. Even the experience of coming here was traumatic. “They spent seven hours in line at the Polish border before finally leaving Ukraine. [and] “Take the flight to the United Kingdom and the experiences that their relatives have had in different parts of the country over the last two or three months are really painful.” Regarding the process itself, he said: “The truth is that it was an abnormal beginning of the program. It took us a long time to get a visa – it took us about three weeks to get all three visas approved. “And so there are people who are frustrated. has tested the patience of sponsors and, most importantly, of families and individuals themselves. “But having been involved in some projects that are not unlike the past – like the Hong Kong project, the Syria project, the project in Afghanistan; as a minister, as a community secretary – I know that. But I believe we will overcome these blows. we are overcoming them now “. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has previously revealed that he was in talks to accept a family of three on the same program. But two weeks ago he said he was still struggling to move the three-generation family from Kyiv to the UK, saying: “I just want to take the family here, you know, and feel safe and living with us.” The Independent has a proud campaign history for the rights of the most vulnerable and we first launched our “Welcome Refugees” campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and start this report on In the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we call on the government to move faster and faster to secure aid. To learn more about our Refugee Campaign, click here. To sign the application click here. If you would like to donate, click here for our GoFundMe page.
