Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukrainian Refugees 2026-07-13

Monday 13 July 2026 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government remain grateful to the British public for the generosity shown to Ukrainians who sought sanctuary in the UK.
  • The Government have ensured that Ukrainian refugees will be eligible for a 24-month extension period to provide greater certainty to individuals, employers, and course leaders.
  • The Minister offered to assist a family looking to return to Ukraine and encouraged the hon. Member to write to her for specific help.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
Asylum & Refugees Ukraine
Context

The MP raises concerns about the lack of a clear pathway for Ukrainian refugees to settle permanently in the UK despite public generosity and support.

Question

If she will take steps to provide Ukrainian refugees with a route to permanent settlement. The Government remain grateful to the British public for the generosity shown to Ukrainians who sought sanctuary in the UK, but the questioner is concerned that the offer of sanctuary is temporary without any clear pathway for longer-term residency.

Answer from Alex Norris

The Government remain grateful to the British public for the generosity shown to Ukrainians who sought sanctuary in the UK. The Ukrainian scheme provides a substantial offer of support and demonstrates our commitment to the Ukrainian people. The Government have been clear from the outset that the offer of sanctuary is temporary, and that position has not changed. We continue to consider future arrangements for Ukrainians in the UK and will provide an update on longer term arrangements in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The lack of a specific commitment or timeline for permanent settlement routes was avoided.

How: Under Review, Will Provide An Update

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Pippa Heylings Lib Dem
Ukraine
Context

A Ukrainian constituent, Artem, faces challenges in applying for funded apprenticeships despite his credentials and eligibility for a 24-month extension under the current resettlement scheme.

Question

My Ukrainian constituent, Artem, is currently seeking to apply for a funded apprenticeship, having now been educated here in the UK. Despite his excellent credentials, he has been turned down for every single apprenticeship because his permission to remain expires in May 2027—despite the fact that under the current Ukrainian resettlement scheme he will be able to immediately apply for a 24-month extension. Does the Minister agree that this is both deeply unfair and a waste of talent and opportunity for young Ukrainian refugees who are seeking to rebuild their lives and contribute to our society?

Answer from Alex Norris

I am sad to hear about that case. The hon. Lady partially answers the question for me in the sense that the Government have ensured that Artem will be eligible for a 24-month extension period. That gives greater certainty not just to individuals about their future, but to employers and course leaders so that they can take a longer view in the light of the opportunities available to Ukrainians in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of apprenticeships being denied was partially addressed without clear action or commitment.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
Ukraine
Context

A family is facing challenges accessing their savings from a UK bank as they prepare to return to Ukraine under the resettlement scheme.

Question

I echo my hon. Friend's comments. If I may, I will approach this question from the other side. The lack of certainty is challenging for Ukrainians who are looking to return to Ukraine. My team are currently dealing with a situation where a family, who are looking to go back to Ukraine, are not being allowed to access their savings from their bank. Can we get support and guidance to help people who are thinking about going back?

Answer from Alex Norris

When people wish to move back, we want to support that in any way we can. The point about savings is a new one to me. If the hon. Lady was to write to me, we would help in whatever way we could.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of bank access for returnees was not directly addressed with concrete action.

How: Write To Me

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Chris Murray Lab
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP draws attention to the public's welcoming response towards Ukrainian refugees compared to other methods of entry, highlighting the importance of structured systems.

Question

I draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. There is some scepticism among the public about refugees, but despite the fact that twice as many people came to this country from Ukraine as crossed in small boats, there has been no public outcry and there is no public unrest. Does the Minister agree that this is because the British public recognise and welcome refugees who come here fairly, in a legal way, and with proper support? What conclusions are the Government drawing from that as they create their new scheme around safe routes?

Answer from Alex Norris

My hon. Friend raises an important issue here. I know from my own community, where the immigration conversation is sometimes very difficult indeed, that those who raise frustration at the lack of order and control in the system—as inherited from our predecessors —are the same people who leaned into the Ukrainian scheme, the Hong Kong British national overseas scheme, the Afghan resettlement scheme and the Syrian scheme. The message that I take from that is that when the British people see that systems are ordered, controlled and for those who need protection, and when we know who is coming, then they lean into it. That is the spirit of our reforms to the system, and I hope my hon. Friend, and all right hon. and hon. Members, will support us in that venture with the Immigration and Asylum Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about public perception was not directly answered regarding Ukrainian refugees specifically.

How: Under Review, Will Provide An Update

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)