← Back to House of Commons Debates
Refugees from Ukraine
16 March 2022
Lead MP
Stuart McDonald
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
ImmigrationUkraine
Other Contributors: 47
At a Glance
Stuart McDonald 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves the motion condemning President Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, reiterating solidarity with Ukrainians, recognising refugee challenges, welcoming public support, supporting expansion of family visa scheme and Homes for Ukraine programme. Criticises slow response from Home Office and urges waiving requirements for Ukrainian refugees to apply for visas before arrival.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Condemns Putin’s atrocities in Ukraine, supports Government's work on sanctions and self-defence of Ukraine. Criticises Home Office for slow response to refugee crisis, urging immediate waiver of visa requirements to match European neighbours.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Fully supports the motion condemning Russian actions in Ukraine and advocating a humanitarian response for refugees from other war-torn countries as well.
Acknowledges distress of constituents like Valentyna who face frustrations with visa applications while trying to bring family members to safety.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Questions the Minister about when the application system will allow applications in Ukrainian, as promised previously.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
Supports a compassionate response to refugees from Ukraine, highlighting cultural barriers and Home Office bureaucracy.
Questions the lead MP on security concerns regarding no checks at all for Ukrainian refugees.
References Lord Peter Ricketts' views advocating a more humane approach without requiring visas, questioning Government's stance.
Tom Pursglove
Con
Corby
Discussed the Ukraine family scheme which went live on March 4, noting that there were already over 20,000 applications submitted resulting in 5,500 visas issued. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to simplify processes and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures for children.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Asked about the timescale for completing all applications that have not yet been processed, showing concern over the speed of the process.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Nantwich
Expressed frustration with the cumbersome visa application process and highlighted a specific example from his constituency where a family faced difficulties in arriving. He urged for quicker measures to facilitate refugee entry.
Drew Hendry
Lab
Inverness N & Highland East
Questioned why only 5,500 visas have been issued given the large number of refugees fleeing Ukraine and asked if security checks could be conducted after people are safely in the UK.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Asked what steps were being taken to support bordering countries with humanitarian aid for unaccompanied children.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Inquired whether the Government would consider providing onward travel funding for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK, as other EU nations have done.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Asked if there will be a package of support for local authorities to provide necessary back-up services such as educational and mental health support for refugees.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill & Battle
Asked about the requirements in terms of room availability under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, specifically if one room would suffice for a GP looking to sponsor a woman and her 12-year-old child.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Asked how someone in Glasgow could host a refugee they know and what the process is for facilitating such arrangements.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Nantwich
Asked about the specifics of the matching process for refugees to be sponsored by individuals or organisations in the UK.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Cumbernauld Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East
Questioned why visa-free access was not an option and what specific risk it posed, given that similar checks are done for people from countries without visa requirements.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh Napier University
Inquired about the security rationale behind requiring biometric information before travel rather than upon arrival in the UK.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow North East
Asked if the UK was receiving different security advice compared to other European countries or if it was risking its people's safety by not implementing similar measures.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon
Praised President Zelensky’s leadership and courage. Criticised the Government for failing to plan ahead, resulting in U-turns on visa policies and a lack of effective response to the crisis. Described the process Ukrainians face as “hell” and “humiliating”. Advocated for an emergency visa scheme with biometric checks conducted in the UK. Highlighted the need for a pairing system to connect sponsors with refugees.
Tom Pursglove
Con
Corby
Asked why the Department responsible for housing is not overseeing the provision of accommodation for vulnerable individuals fleeing Ukraine, questioning whether this could be seen as an odd distribution of responsibility.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Expressed confusion regarding the Minister's comments about housing responsibilities and referenced previous unsuitable accommodations provided by the Home Secretary for refugees, such as Penally camp in Pembrokeshire.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Suggested that the SNP motion criticises the Government constructively but warned against Labour's remarks becoming too party political. Advised caution to avoid overly divisive rhetoric during such a sensitive time.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Worcester
Highlighted concerns about the fundamental flaw in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, specifically regarding the considerable bureaucracy and waiting times associated with visa applications.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South West
Agreed with much of what Stephen Kinnock said but questioned whether Labour’s position is clear on waiving visa requirements entirely. Emphasised the need to resolve waiting times and bureaucracy in the scheme.
Asked about the implications if someone fails security checks after being admitted into the UK through an emergency visa process, questioning potential deportation or handling procedures for those who fail such checks.
Peter Bone
Con
Northampton North
Thanked his hon. Friend and expressed disagreement with the shadow Minister's tone regarding Ukraine support. Praises the Prime Minister for leadership in Europe, highlighting UK's military and humanitarian contributions to Ukraine and bordering countries. Stressed the importance of protecting refugees from human trafficking, particularly in Moldova, urging the Government to provide more resources there.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Intervened to point out that over 150 colleagues are in Committee Room 14 listening to and engaging with Ukrainian MPs who have praised UK's support for their country, contrasting this with the perception of underrepresentation on the Government Benches.
Tom Pursglove
Con
Corby
Intervened to reassure Peter Bone about the law enforcement agencies' close examination of human trafficking issues and their coordination through Europol.
Suggested that UK should allocate some foreign development budget towards tackling human trafficking, highlighting its significance in relation to the crisis.
Central Ayrshire
Asked whether local councils creating lists of people with accommodation would better handle refugee integration and support, emphasising the need for localized solutions.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
The UK stands united in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, with constituents willing to offer accommodation and resources. However, the current number of refugees in the UK is only 5,500, which seems small compared to other European countries like Germany (147,000) and Poland (1.8 million). The speaker questions if security concerns are being used as a smokescreen for slowing down refugee intake and calls on the Government to do more to match public enthusiasm.
Responded to Pete Wishart's intervention by explaining that for Ukrainian children to be moved unaccompanied from Poland requires consent from both Polish and Ukrainian authorities, which has not been given. He noted that the Ukrainian Government must consent before such moves can occur.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
The UK has a proud record of welcoming refugees with two uncapped schemes allowing people to come for three years with access to benefits, education, welfare support, and training. Between 2015 and 2020, the UK resettled 24,700 refugees, which is more than any other European country except Sweden (20,900). Merriman criticises those who denigrate this system as it discourages potential refugees from coming to the UK. He thanks Home Office officials for their hard work and emphasises the need to scrutinise policy without using insults or rhetoric. He questions how the sponsorship system will operate, who will check sponsor suitability, and what role local authorities will play in assessing sponsors and funding this programme.
Meirionnydd Dwyfor
Welsh Plaid Cymru member highlights the importance of supporting Ukrainian refugees and criticises the Home Office system for being designed to keep people out. She mentions a constituent waiting in Warsaw for a visa, raising concerns about disabled individuals fleeing Ukraine who require specific aid. Fellows calls on Ministers to expedite responses regarding super-sponsorship requests from Scotland and Wales, urging them to waive visas as other countries have done.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South
Correcting inaccuracies in the speech of the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle; the UK's per capita share of refugees is in the middle of the European table, not at the top.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Defended his statements on refugee resettlement numbers as accurate according to BBC Reality Check.
Eleanor Laing
Con
Epping Forest
Called for the debate to remain polite despite disagreements, noting that debates are about disagreement and not a matter for the Chair.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Emphasised the need for practical actions to support refugees from Ukraine, highlighting the disparity between Ireland's response and that of the UK. She praised Wales’s previous efforts in supporting Afghan refugees through Urdd Gobaith Cymru and called for more detail and pathways for refugee resettlement. Liz also mentioned Plaid Cymru councils' above-average resettlement rates compared to the UK as a whole, and questioned how support networks would operate beyond London and the south-east. She urged the Government to work closely with Wales on implementing effective sponsorship schemes.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Mr Thomson commended the UK Government for military aid and humanitarian response but criticised the Home Office for delays in visa applications, which he argued caused unnecessary suffering to refugees. He cited examples of constituents facing difficulties due to bureaucratic obstacles. He challenged the Prime Minister's claim that the UK had done more than any other European country since 2015, highlighting a significant contrast with EU guidelines on temporary protection directives. Mr Thomson proposed supporting Scottish and Welsh Government super sponsor bids to speed up the process and suggested waiving visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow North West
The UK is not doing nothing to help Ukrainian refugees, but the Government’s response has been chaotic and inadequate. The Home Office's frequent changes in rules have made it difficult for people seeking refuge and for those trying to assist them. Anne McLaughlin emphasises that the Government must understand their legal and moral duty towards refugees. She criticises the Nationality and Borders Bill as an example of a lack of desire or belief by the Government to protect refugees. The Homes for Ukraine scheme, while positive, has issues with safeguarding and needs better support systems in place. McLaughlin also questions why Ukrainians are treated differently from other nationalities allowed to enter without visas. She calls for fairer comparisons between European countries’ responses and highlights that many European nations are more welcoming than the UK regarding Ukrainian refugees. The UK's response is currently 17th among European countries per capita, which McLaughlin finds unacceptable given the severity of the crisis.
Eddie Hughes
Con
Wigan
Proud of the UK's efforts in aiding Ukraine, mentioning £400 million emergency aid provided to Ukraine and support through military means. Also highlighted the deployment of 1,000 troops on standby.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow North East
Responded to Eddie Hughes by pointing out that the UK's actions towards Ukraine should be seen as a positive step beyond merely 'not doing nothing'.
John Howell
Con
Wyre Forest
Asked for and received permission from Eddie Hughes to speak, adding additional good news about the expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Made a point of order highlighting that the lack of attendance in the Chamber was due to MPs attending a meeting with Ukrainian MPs elsewhere in the Palace, emphasising the importance of public awareness about this activity.
Acknowledged Peter Bone's point of order and clarified that while there were few attendees during the debate on Ukrainian refugees due to another important meeting, many colleagues had attended a fruitful session with visiting Ukrainian MPs.
Government Response
Stated that for a child in Ukraine to be removed from Poland unaccompanied requires consent from Polish and Ukrainian authorities, which has not been given. He indicated that if this consent were provided, the UK would facilitate such movement.
▸
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.