More than 200 visas issued so far to Ukrainians to come to Greater Manchester
08.04.2022 - 15:39
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
More than 200 visas have been issued so far to Ukrainians being sponsored to stay at homes in Greater Manchester, new figures revealed today. But the publication of the welcome statistics comes amid an ever-growing backlash over the speed it is taking to process applications, with many families in Greater Manchester and across the country claiming delays were putting lives at risk.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued, the Home Secretary today apologised 'with frustration' after coming under fire over the time it is taking for Ukrainian refugees to arrive in the UK. But Priti Patel denied visa requirements and checks were slowing the process and causing delays, insisting the UK will 'absolutely see changes in numbers' as work continues.
It's estimated that more than four million refugees have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, and an estimated 6.5 million people have also been displaced from their homes within the country.
The first phase of the Government's 'Homes for Ukraine' sponsorship scheme opened on March 18 for visa applications from Ukrainian applicants who have named people in the UK willing to sponsor them. Sponsors are being asked to provide accommodation for at least six months.
That scheme is separate to the Ukraine Family Scheme, for those with family already living in the UK. Around 12,000 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes as of Tuesday, according to the latest available Home Office figures.
Some 10,800 people had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme but only 1,200 had made it to the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data published on the department's website showed. As of Thursday, about 79,800 applications had been
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