Priti Patel has been accused of presiding over a "national disgrace" as Ukrainian refugees face long delays getting to the UK because of the visa system.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the latest figures as “scandalous and shameful”, claiming thousands of people are “stuck in limbo” as she accused the Tory minister of "letting everyone down".
As of Thursday, about 79,800 applications had been submitted to the schemes and 40,900 visas had been granted.
Of these, 43,600 applications were for the sponsorship scheme, with 12,500 visas issued.
Out of 36,300 requests made for family visas, 28,500 had been approved.
Ms Cooper said: “This is scandalous and shameful.
"Over thirty thousand people with British sponsors waiting are still stuck in limbo - around half of whom have been waiting more than ten days already to hear anything.
"A shocking 70% of Homes for Ukraine applications are still waiting for a visa.
"Behind these numbers are many desperate mothers and children in temporary accommodation or still sheltering in Ukraine.
"Where is the Home Secretary? She needs to stop hiding and account for this national disgrace.
"British families have offered Ukrainians sanctuary in their hour of need, but the Home Secretary is letting everyone down."
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse admitted that there was frustration with the visa process when he was challenged on Sky News over how few refugees have arrived in the UK so far.
He said: "I know that people are disappointed with the progress of the visa regime.
“The Home Secretary has been out this week expressing her frustration and regret that it hasn’t been quicker but we are motoring now.”
In a pre-recorded interview aired on the BBC on Friday, Ms Patel apologised “with frustration” but denied that visa requirements and checks are slowing the process and causing delays, insisting the UK will “absolutely see changes in numbers” as work continues.
She said: “I apologise with frustration myself… it takes time to start up a new route.”
Meanwhile, crossbench peer Baroness Finlay, who is offering space in her Cardiff home to a family, said the scheme was "unwelcoming" and only adding to refugees' trauma.
She said her husband, Professor Andrew Finlay, spent eight hours filling out forms for their visa applications on March 18, the day the scheme launched.
"(The process was) just so confusing and complicated," she said.
