Conservative ministers have been criticised for being “cruel” after the unexpected announcement that the government’s visa scheme for people fleeing the Ukraine war would be scrapped.
The Ukraine Family Scheme was made to allow people to join their families who had already come to the UK. It was closed to new applications with immediate effect on Monday (February 19).
The move comes just days before the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The scheme has reportedly led to 72,000 Ukrainians being given UK visas.
The sudden change has left many surprised, with some opposition MPs strongly criticising the move. However, the government has claimed that the change does not affect the ability for Ukrainians fleeing the war to be able to come to the UK.
Speaking on Monday, Stephen Kinnock, Labour’s shadow immigration minister, said: “Restricting family rights at a time when Ukrainian troops are under heavy fire in Donetsk sends the wrong message to the people of Ukraine about our willingness to stand with them.
“Ministers must urgently explain the justification for these measures and how they will ensure vulnerable Ukrainians are not put at risk by these changes.”
Meanwhile, SNP home affairs spokesperson Alison Thewliss said: “The Home Office previously promised to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Ukraine - yet as we prepare to mark the two year anniversary of Putin’s illegal war, it is now trying to slip these cruel measures under the radar.
“By closing the Ukrainian family scheme at 3pm today, without warning, the Westminster government is once again exposing its nasty, draconian nature and showing that it isn’t aligned with Scotland’s values.”
According to Huffington Post, a source close to home secretary James Cleverly said: “Nobody from Ukraine who is here already is being asked to leave but in fact can stay longer, and nobody who wanted to and still wants to is being prevented from applying to come here from Ukraine because the Homes for Ukraine route still exists.
“Given these facts, it’s hard not see these statements as anything beyond cynical scaremongering on the backs of people we and the British public have been happy and proud to help and support, and will continue to.”
How can people from Ukraine still come to the UK?
The separate Homes for Ukraine Scheme, which allows Brits to offer a home to those fleeing the war, remains unchanged. Figures from the Local Government Association claim that just under 142,000 people live in the UK under the scheme.Some Ukrainian nationals who are already in the UK have the option of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, whereby they can apply to remain in the UK.
In addition, shortly before news of the cancellation of the Ukraine Family Visa scheme, the government announced a separate 18-month visa extension scheme.
From early 2025, those already in the UK under one of the existing Ukraine visa schemes will be able to apply to stay for another 18 months.
