The UK is now “motoring” on processing Ukrainian refugee visas after disappointment over a slow start, a Home Office minister has told Sky News.
Kit Malthouse made the comments after latest figures showed just 12,000 people had arrived in the UK under two schemes to help those from the war-hit country, after nearly 80,000 applications.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper told Sky News that the delays were “shocking” and “truly shameful”.
Last week, Home Secretary Priti Patel apologised and expressed frustration over the time taken to get the new system up and running.
Latest figures showed that by Tuesday, 10,800 people had arrived in the UK under the Ukraine family scheme – for those with existing family connections in the UK.
But only 1,200 have arrived under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.
More than 200,000 people have expressed an interest in opening their homes to a refugee under the initiative.
Speaking to Sky’s Trevor Phillips, policing minister Mr Malthouse was confronted with figures suggesting that Ireland, a much smaller country, had been able to take in a larger number than the UK.
He said: “I completely understand and I know that people are disappointed with the progress of the visa regime.
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Bodies recovered in Makariv
“The home secretary was out this week expressing her frustration and regret that it hasn’t been quicker but we are motoring now.”
Just over 40,000 visas have been issued and Mr Malthouse said that the reason that many of those people had not come to the UK was that they were “thinking about their options, praying hope…
Source : skynews
