London today promised to ease the conditions for accepting more Ukrainians with relatives in the UK, but ruled out opening its borders to all refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
“Biometric verifications and (security checks) are essential (…) and will remain,” Home Secretary Priti Patel told the House of Commons. “It’s vital to the security of the British people,” he said.
Britain is criticized for its lack of generosity towards Ukrainians leaving their country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that residents of the United Kingdom could bring close relatives living in Ukraine to the country. According to the Home Office, about 100,000 people can “find refuge” in Britain under this condition.
“If the relatives of the ‘British’ do not meet the usual criteria (to be granted a visa) but pass the security checks, ‘we will give them permission to enter the United Kingdom,'” Patel said. This will enable the British and “every permanent resident of the United Kingdom” to bring their close relatives to the country.
The government was sharply criticized at the weekend, on the occasion of an announcement by Undersecretary of Immigration Kevin Foster. The latter, in a post on Twitter – which was later downloaded – said that the Ukrainians could be accepted in the country as seasonal workers. Today, the Times published a cartoon in which the Minister of the Interior asked a family of Ukrainians, in a burning building, if they were “willing to pick fruit” in exchange for her rescue.
Labor MP Yvette Cooper called the government’s decision to accept only close relatives of Ukrainians living in the United Kingdom “shameful.” Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicholas Sturgeon also called for the conditions for all Ukrainians to be removed, “as other countries do”.
An estimated 500,000 people have fled Ukraine and taken refuge in neighboring countries, most notably Poland, since the Russian-led invasion began on February 24, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grady.
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
