The Home Secretary gave an update today on what more the UK will do to support Ukrainian refugees.
The Ukraine Family Scheme, which was announced on Tuesday, will be changed in order to make it quicker and simpler.
From this Tuesday, Ukrainians with passports will no longer need to go to a Visa Application Centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK. They will be able to get permission to come here, fully online, from wherever they are; and will be able to give their biometrics once in Britain.
I made sure the Home Secretary was aware that the leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Simon Tagg, together with all the other local authority leaders across Staffordshire wrote to the Prime Minister and to her saying that the people of Staffordshire and the authorities in Staffordshire stand ready and are able to welcome Ukrainian refugees.
I am grateful to the Government for streamlining this change in order to help as many Ukrainians as we can, including here in Newcastle. And when details are available as to how people can volunteer space in their own homes, for refugees without family ties to the UK, I will share them on this page. I am grateful to the many constituents who have already contacted me to make this sort of offer.
