Housing secretary Michael Gove has unveiled the government’s “Homes for Ukraine” sponsorship scheme, amid heavy criticism of the UK’s visa policy.
With the latest government figures showing Britain has issued just 4,000 visas to Ukrainian refugees, Mr Gove said the scheme will offer those who provide a home for refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war a monthly payment of £350.
It came as Boris Johnson planned to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the hope Saudi Arabia can raise its production of oil and gas to make up for a reduced reliance on Russia.
Downing Street has said the government will be “raising” Saudi Arabia’s execution of 81 men in a single day with the regime in Riyadh, with Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson insisting the government does not “shy away” from raising human rights issues with its allies.
Over the weekend, the country’s state-run Saudi Press Agency announced that 81 men were executed over a variety of crimes – Saudi Arabia’s largest mass execution in recent history.
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Refugee crisis: PM urged to sack Priti Patel
Prime minister Boris Johnson has been urged to sack home secretary Priti Patel over her handling of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, in a speech on Sunday, said Ms Patel’s response to the “humanitarian catastrophe” had been “utterly shameful”.“She has answered desperation with delays; crisis with confusion; pain with paperwork,” he said.
Sir Ed added: “It couldn’t be clearer that Priti Patel is not up to the job. The buck stops with the prime minister. So Boris Johnson must sack her now”.
Johnson says Putin’s ‘barbaric actions’ ‘testing all of humanity’
Vladimir Putin’s “barbaric actions” on Ukraine are “testing all of humanity”, prime minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, following a call with Ukrainian prime minister Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to a UK government statement, the leaders condemned the murders of American journalist Brent Renaud and “countless innocent Ukrainians, and the abduction of the Mayors of Dniprorudne and Melitopol”.
UK looking at options to bolster Ukraine’s self-defence, says PM
The UK will “continue to pursue more options for bolstering Ukraine’s self-defence”, prime minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday. In a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, Mr Johnson said the UK would “continue to stand behind Ukraine in all their efforts to bring an end to this disastrous conflict”.
Mr Johnson was said to have told Mr Zelensky during their call that the UK would “continue to pursue more options for bolstering Ukraine’s self-defence”.
“The Prime Minister outlined the support the UK continues to deliver to Ukraine,” a No 10 spokesman said.
Amy Gibbons reports.
Michael Gove wrongly says 300,000 visas given to Ukrainians
Cabinet minister Michael Gove blundered over the number of Ukrainian refugees accepted by Britain – incorrectly claiming that 300,000 visas has been issued to those fleeing the Russian invasion.
Challenged over the figures on Sky News, Mr Gove admitted he had got the figure wrong, before revealing that only around 3,000 visas had been granted on the Ukraine family scheme.
The government has been criticised for insisting that British sponsors go through online paperwork and security checks on behalf of a particular, named refugee.
Adam Forrest has more.
Cost of living crisis: Half of UK children ‘will have to sacrifice’ food
Half of UK children will be in families that cannot afford the cost of living by April this year, new analysis has warned.
Using the Minimum Income Standard (MIS), researchers estimated that around 43 per cent of families in the northeast of England, 41 per cent in Yorkshire and the Humber, 39 per cent in the West Midlands and 38 per cent in London, will all be living below the MIS threshold in a matter of weeks.
Britons offered £350 a month for opening door to Ukrainian refugees
The UK government is offering Britons £350 per month for opening their homes to Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme, to be rolled out this week, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety, even if they have no ties to the UK.
People sponsoring refugees through the new uncapped route will be required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months – but will be encouraged to keep up the offer for as long as they can.
Britons offered £350 a month for opening door to Ukrainian refugees
The UK government is offering Britons £350 per month for opening their homes to Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme, to be rolled out this week, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety, even if they have no ties to the UK.
People sponsoring refugees through the new uncapped route will be required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months – but will be encouraged to keep up the offer for as long as they can.
Labour demands action to tackle record spike in petrol cost
Labour is calling on the government to act over the “spiralling cost-of-living crisis” as figures suggest families face a near £400 annual rise in the cost of petrol.
The opposition party said its analysis of official statistics found the average family is facing a yearly rise of £386 on the cost of petrol.
The record rise comes as 25 million Brits are also set to be hit with a tax hike this spring, which will cost the average worker £255 a year.
Chiara Giordano reports.
