Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

War in Ukraine

Monday 5 September 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government created a visa scheme to support Ukrainians, offering three-year periods with full access to work and public funds.
  • Government is working hard to maximise the number of people in sponsorship schemes and visas routes, noting an uptick in applications.
  • Cabinet Office is co-ordinating a whole-of-Government effort to provide support during the transition period for those whose placements are ending.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Asylum & Refugees Ukraine
Context

The question arises from the need to provide support to individuals and families displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support those fleeing war in Ukraine?

Answer from Priti Patel

The UK Government rapidly created the UK visa scheme to support Ukrainians, offering three-year periods with full access to work and public funds. The Ukraine family scheme was operationalised quickly and has been successful in supporting refugees.

Answered
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Q2 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Ukraine
Context

The question pertains to the effectiveness and future support of the UK's Ukraine visa scheme.

Question

May I congratulate the Home Secretary on operationalising the Ukraine visa scheme quickly? May I ask for a reaffirmation that this country will continue offering support?

Answer from Priti Patel

My hon. Friend is right; the Government are working hard to maximise the number of people in sponsorship schemes and visas routes, noting an uptick in applications due to the generosity of the scheme.

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Q3 Sheryll Murray Con
Ukraine Housing
Context

The question addresses concerns about affordable housing availability for Ukrainians in the south-west of England.

Question

What work is being done with other Departments to ensure there are no issues regarding affordable housing?

Answer from Priti Patel

Work has taken place across Departments, particularly the Cabinet Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, reflecting the success of sponsorship schemes due to public generosity in providing housing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about ensuring specific measures to support host families or transitioning refugees into decent rented accommodation was not directly addressed.

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Q4 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Ukraine
Context

The question is about the six-month placements under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and their extension or transfer into permanent accommodation.

Question

Many six-month placements are coming to an end, risking families being placed in temporary accommodation. Will measures be put in place to support host families?

Answer from Priti Patel

A whole-of-Government effort is being co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, working with other Departments and local councils to provide support during the transition period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about specific measures for transferring families into permanent accommodation was not directly addressed.

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Q5 Steve McCabe Lab
Immigration Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns were raised about the need for additional checks before the implementation of the UK family visa scheme.

Question

Can she update us on how those checks have proceeded and how many people identified as fraudulent?

Answer from Priti Patel

Checks are legitimate due to regional instability and national security concerns. The record is clear in terms of numbers, with people refused on legitimate grounds involving national security without disclosing specific figures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about releasing the number of individuals identified as fraudulent was not fully addressed.

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