The plight of a Ukrainian child refugee who won a visa battle to come to Scotland has led to a change in the law.
Nataliia Zavhorodnia was told she couldn’t travel to the UK because she was coming without her parents.
But after weeks of campaigning – backed by the Sunday Mail – the 15-year-old’s visa was approved earlier this month.
On Wednesday, UK Government ministers agreed to formally change the law on the back of Nataliia’s case - meaning Ukrainian child refugees can now come to the UK with an approved adult who isn’t their mum or dad.
Kate Fuller, who has taken in Nataliia and her aunt Millena Kornieieva, 34, at her home in Hamilton, said: “Nataliia is delighted.
"We’re all over the moon that it has made a difference to other children.
"It’s great news.”
Nataliia fled her home in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv with her aunt while mum Hanna stayed to look after her son Sasha, nine. Her dad Oleksii is helping with the war effort.
But when they were matched with Kate and husband Martin via a Facebook community and applications made for Homes for Ukraine visas, Millena’s was approved but Nataliia’s was rejected.
Nataliia was classed as an “unaccompanied minor” who could not travel under the refugee scheme.
Kate’s MP Margaret Ferrier, who played a key role in ensuring Nataliia’s visa was approved by UK Government ministers, told the Sunday Mail: “I welcome the Government’s decision to allow unaccompanied minors fleeing the war to seek refuge here in the UK.
“I hope that the Government will learn some important lessons from the length of time it has taken them to resolve this policy issue and will keep the welfare of child refugees at the forefront of their future asylum policy making.”
The UK Government said the new policy will initially help 1000 children who have had visa applications rejected.
Some have been stuck in limbo at refugee camps. Thousands more could now be eligible to apply for visas.
The law change means under-18s can come to the UK unaccompanied if they have written permission from a parent or guardian.
The parent or guardian must also be in touch with the donor family.
Refugee minister Lord Harrington, who personally approved Nataliia’s visa, said: “It is important we took the time to get this right – we have worked across government and with the Ukrainian government to find a solution to ensure we can continue offering safety to as many Ukrainians as possible while also welcoming more children into the UK.”
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