← Back to House of Commons Debates
Refugees from Ukraine
10 March 2022
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ImmigrationUkraineDefence
Other Contributors: 43
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about refugees from ukraine in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Home Secretary Priti Patel provided an update on the UK's humanitarian response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She stated that the Government has developed its support in close consultation with the Ukrainian government and others in the region. On March 4th, she launched the Ukraine family scheme which offers three years' leave for immediate and extended Ukrainian family members who are eligible. Today, Patel announced changes aimed at streamlining this process to make it quicker and simpler. These changes include enabling Ukrainians with passports to apply fully online without needing to visit visa application centres in Europe first. Security checks will continue but biometrics can be given upon arrival in the UK. The new system is set to begin on Tuesday, March 15th, increasing capacity at European visa application centres to over 13,000 appointments per week.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Why does it always take being hauled into the House of Commons to make basic changes? A maternity hospital was bombed; people are fleeing for their lives. The Home Office's response has been a total disgrace. 90-year-old holocaust survivors, mums with kids, have faced queues and travel challenges. Why introduce online approach now when intelligence suggested an invasion weeks ago? What about Ukrainian healthcare workers bringing parents?
Minister reply
Patel defended the changes as timely and necessary. Visa applications are crucial for verification processes involving security checks and digital records. She emphasised flexibility in response but highlighted the importance of biographical data and warnings index through the intelligence services. Despite opposition criticism, she stated that many Ukrainians do not have documentation, making physical and digital records essential for status verification. Patel also mentioned misinformation spread by the Opposition about VAC appointments.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Question
Asks the Home Secretary to keep in touch with European partners on practices and procedures to help those fleeing from war crimes and breaches of international rules of war, emphasising the need for a coordinated response.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of a coordinated approach and confirms constant contact with EU Commissioner Johansson. Highlights that Britain is supporting countries on the Ukrainian border through financial and practical aid.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
Welcomes the Government's change of stance but criticises its delayed response. Questions whether the measures announced cover a loophole where Ukrainians without permanent residency cannot bring relatives to the UK. Also asks about discussions with devolved Administrations.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for a coordinated approach and confirms ongoing communication with devolved Administrations. Explains that leave extensions are being offered, and family members can be brought in through an agile response system.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
Suggests establishing a hub for Ukrainians in the UK to facilitate biometric checks and provisional visas.
Minister reply
Confirms hubs are being established within community centres rather than central London, emphasising work with local Ukrainian communities.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Questions the Home Secretary about TLScontact's role in biometric checks amid reports of reputational damage due to profit motives and lengthy visa application processes.
Minister reply
Acknowledges issues with TLScontact but highlights increased surge capacity at visa centres. Confirms digital services will be launched for passport holders from Tuesday, 15th March.
Question
Proposes suspending carrier liability duty for Ukrainian passport holders and removing Ukraine from the list of excluded countries to expedite visa processing.
Minister reply
Explains that checks cannot be suspended due to wider implications but highlights speeded-up digital authorizations will allow direct travel to UK ports.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Asks why the Government did not put measures in place earlier, given prior knowledge of Putin's intentions. Also queries whether work is being done on changing International Criminal Court laws.
Minister reply
Confirms efforts to streamline process while respecting regional requirements from countries like Poland, Hungary and Romania. Notes significant work underway on war crimes prosecution.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Question
I am grateful for what my right hon. Friend said about the number of appointments there will be, and I am grateful to the visa application centre staff for working so hard, but I understand that the Warsaw centre closes at 5 pm and at weekends. Could she do something to extend the opening hours?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point. The opening hours are because of labour laws in Poland. There have been extensive discussions with the Government, the Foreign Office and the Home Office on extensions. We would love the centres to work much longer hours, including at weekends. Believe me, we have been pursuing this.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South West
Question
I do not think I have ever seen my Edinburgh South West constituents more angry than they are this week about what the Government have done, or not done, so far. The fictional Prime Minister Jim Hacker once said: “It doesn’t do the Government any good to look heartless and feeble simultaneously”. Well, I am afraid this Government have for the past week. I welcome this U-turn, but will the Home Secretary take the opportunity to apologise to the Ukrainian refugees whose suffering has been needlessly exacerbated by the Home Office’s ineptitude?
Minister reply
To correct the hon. and learned Lady, since I became Home Secretary we have welcomed 20,000 Afghan refugees and 97,000 Hong Kongers to the United Kingdom over the last two years. These numbers are unprecedented, and I will take no lectures from her about heartlessness.
Robert Buckland
Con
South Swindon
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s announcement today, and she knows that I and others have been pushing for tech and biometrics to be used more constructively. On the repurposing of officials and their movement to the front-line, not just from within the Home Office, but from across Government, will she work with the excellent new refugees Minister to ensure that we can get that sense of co-ordination and urgency here?
Minister reply
My right hon. and learned Friend is absolutely right; we are blessed with the appointment of our noble Friend in the other place as refugees Minister, because this is about co-ordination. This is about national co-ordination, not about one Department or another Department.
Kate Green
Lab Co-op
Wirral West
Question
Will the Home Secretary confirm that Ukrainians with dual nationality, for example, Ukrainian and Romanian nationality, will none the less be able to come to the UK under the family scheme?
Minister reply
Yes, the hon. Lady is absolutely right on that. We are seeing many dual nationals come forward, which is why we are absolutely trying to streamline the system to make it easier for them to apply.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Question
I am grateful for the announcement today, which will directly benefit the families of my constituents. May I ask for a point of clarification? Can a Ukrainian who has a Ukrainian ID card rather than a passport apply entirely online?
Minister reply
No. This will be passports only, because of all the security checks that can be made through passport data.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
It is disappointing that the right hon. Lady needs to be dragged here to make the process simpler and quicker. A lot of the people in this country will not understand why it is so complicated.
Minister reply
I have always made it abundantly clear in the House that our approach is always under review —it is under review for a range of issues, for example, as the situation changes or the security threat level changes. The hon. Lady has just asked why we cannot just let people through.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
As one of the top six customers of the Home Office on immigration issues, I have seen how this situation underlines the chaos in the Home Office’s immigration system. It is really struggling to keep up with the basics and when dealing with this surge it has understandably crumbled under the pressure.
Minister reply
Yes, and that is exactly what we have been doing.
Mark Harper
Con
Forest of Dean
Question
I welcome what the Home Secretary said about combining security with a generous approach, both of which are essential and must be delivered. In my experience of the Home Office, officials there who are focused on the protection of our country respond well to clear and decisive leadership.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is fair to say that he will be too familiar with the various processes around immigration checks, digitalisation and security.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Question
I commend my right hon. Friend for the calm and collected manner in which she presented the statement and for the manner in which she has dealt with the really serious and complicated problems that this situation represents.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and his acknowledgement of the difficult work.
Barry Sheerman
Lab Co-op
Huddersfield
Question
The Home Secretary is doing a difficult job at this stressful time because of the horrible war that Putin has unleashed against these innocent people, but may I give her one tiny bit of advice? We really want to keep this cross-party support for the people in Ukraine.
Minister reply
I acknowledge the hon. Gentlemen’s comments. It is important that, as a country and in this House in particular, we unite against Putin and what he is doing.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Question
I did not hear correctly whether it was 13,000 appointments per day or per week. Have we beefed up the visa application centre in Moldova?
Minister reply
The 13,000 appointments next week will primarily be for vulnerable individuals without documentation. In Moldova, assistance with security equipment and preventing weapons from entering the country is being provided to support refugees.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
My constituent needs help making digital applications in Ukrainian. Will it be possible, in future, to make these applications in Ukrainian?
Minister reply
Work is ongoing to see what else we can do regarding the language requirements for visa applications.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
Will you consider a direct link for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain into the Home Office?
Minister reply
A hub is being set up specifically to help the Ukrainian community, including those in my constituency.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Question
My constituent’s wife was told she has to book an appointment online but the system isn't working. What should Liudmyla do?
Minister reply
The application process can be done digitally from Tuesday. The case of Liudmyla Florence could be looked at directly after the urgent question.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Question
Will you thank British families who wish to help Ukrainian families and tell them that you will work night and day to enable them to fulfill their generosity?
Minister reply
The Ukrainian community across the UK has been extraordinary in providing support, and I am working on a scheme under development with government.
Marion Fellows
Lab
Alyn and Deeside
Question
My constituent was told to apply for an appointment again but online systems are not working. What will help my constituent forward?
Minister reply
The systems have been working, and the issue can be looked at directly if the case is presented.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
Question
Are new arrangements for biometrics capacity simply for those coming on a family route or do they apply more generally? When will we hear more about the humanitarian sponsorship route?
Minister reply
The simplifications are to the family scheme. Details of the humanitarian scheme are being worked out by DLUHC.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
Artur Nadiiev, a Ukrainian PhD student at the University of Nottingham, needs help with his visa application and TB test requirements. Can he now obtain his visa without needing to travel to a third country?
Minister reply
TB tests have been waived for Ukrainian citizens traveling to the UK.
Scott Benton
Con
High Peak
Question
Will the integrity of appropriate security checks be maintained while speeding up the visa process?
Minister reply
Integrity will not be compromised. Security checks are verified through agencies and Departments.
Karen Buck
Lab
Westminster North
Question
May I seek clarification on the issue of work visas? Will those here on work visas be able to bring dependent relatives?
Minister reply
We are looking at all categories, including Ukrainians on work and student visas.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Ealing North
Question
Is there a route for Ukrainian software engineers who oppose Putin's war to come here before Putin slams the door shut?
Minister reply
We will discuss that with my right hon. Friend and explore ways to facilitate their entry.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Asked about the Home Office's responsibility for refugees under both sponsorship and family schemes, and inquired about current arrangements and timetables.
Minister reply
The sponsorship route is led by DLUHC while accommodation will be a vital part of sponsorship. The Government is working collectively across departments to provide access to public funds and services within the family route.
Question
Inquired about the processing of visas for Ukrainian refugees currently in northern France.
Minister reply
Visa application centre capacity has been surged across France, with sites in Calais and Lille. Work is being done to expand capacity based on routes identified by the French Government.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
Asked about assessments of vulnerable categories and how many people will be helped.
Minister reply
About 90% of Ukrainian nationals do not have chip passports, necessitating clearing the VAC system for those in the vulnerable category, including elderly and non-travellers. Encouraging engagement with family members here.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Inquired about making the resettlement system flexible for temporary basis.
Minister reply
The consistent approach across schemes allows leave periods for both resettlement and temporary stays. Acknowledged ethnic cleansing in Russia.
Question
Asked about resettlement schemes for orphans and unaccompanied children, considering visa waivers.
Minister reply
Safeguarding is a priority; local authority work stands up to look at protection and how children can be brought over safely.
Question
Asked about working with the Communities Secretary for welcoming Ukrainian refugees in Staffordshire.
Minister reply
Confirmed readiness to work with the Communities Secretary to enable Staffordshire to play its part.
Question
Raised concerns about surrogacy cases and family visa scheme.
Minister reply
Acknowledged cases of families expecting a child through surrogate in Ukraine, looking at making changes.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Asked for assurance that the balance between national security and removing bureaucracy is optimal.
Minister reply
Priority is to keep the country safe while streamlining processes, will continue doing so.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Critiqued the Home Secretary's stance and inquired about visa-free entry.
Minister reply
Refuted anecdotal evidence suggesting chaos at borders, highlighting inappropriate advice.
Question
Welcomed digitalisation of family scheme and asked for assurance on system capacity.
Minister reply
Addressing big digital challenges, working to ensure systems can cope with technological and digital demands.
Patricia Gibson
Labour Co-op
North Ayrshire and Arran
Question
Welcomes improvements to the current scheme for Ukrainians fleeing violence but notes a lack of urgency and flexibility from the UK, asking what more will be done as the humanitarian situation deteriorates.
Minister reply
Responds by emphasising cooperation with the EU despite differences in approach. Mentions surge capacity in processing visa applications, particularly in Poland where most Ukrainian refugees are fleeing.
Andrew Jones
Con
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Question
Welcomes simplification of the scheme and asks for more information on Home Office staff surge capacity to process visa applications.
Minister reply
Confirms increased capacity at visa application centres and collaboration with MOD teams in Poland to support refugees and provide humanitarian aid.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Question
Requests an update on discussions between the Home Office and Scottish Government regarding refugee intake from Ukraine.
Minister reply
States that ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government are scheduled for a call later today.
North Cotswolds
Question
Welcomes new flexibilities and asks for further practical measures to speed up documentation processing, including accepting alternative forms of identification.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of translators and continuous process simplification. Assures that checks are being reviewed out-of-country and in the UK, and encourages digital and technology processes to streamline the system.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
The Labour shadow Home Secretary criticised the Government's slow response to helping Ukrainians fleeing the war. Yvette Cooper highlighted cases of people being left in makeshift accommodation or having to queue for days despite urgent need. She welcomed the online approach but questioned why it had taken so long, given intelligence about a potential Russian invasion for weeks. Cooper urged use of military resources and offered support from the armed forces who have 1,000 troops ready. She also enquired about healthcare workers' parents being allowed to enter the country without extensive forms.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.