11 visas for Ukrainians

JUST 11 Ukrainian refugees have been granted visas to come to stay in the Staffordshire Moorlands under a government scheme.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their families to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor who can offer them accommodation, and so far around 12,500 visas have been issued to people fleeing the Russian invasion.

Across Staffordshire there have been 103 visas issued, including 11 in the Staffordshire Moorlands, 11 in Stoke-on-trent nine in Newcastle and 20 in Stafford.

The figures have emerged as the UK’S Homes for Ukraine scheme has been described as ‘unwelcoming and adding to the trauma of refugees.’

The Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched last month, has received 43,600 applications, with 29 per cent resulting in a visa being granted.

The local figures do not include the total number of applications, so it is not known how many Stoke-on-trent or Staffordshire residents have been unsuccessful in their bid to be part of the scheme.

A total of 1,200 Ukrainians have so far arrived in the UK under the scheme. A further 10,800 have arrived under the Ukrainan Family Scheme, which aims to unite refugees with family members already in the UK.

More than 10 million Ukrainians have fled their homes since the start of the Russian invasion, with around 4.3 million leaving for neighbouring countries.

Speaking last month, Sybil Ralphs, leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “Here in the Moorlands we have a long tradition of reaching out to help people suffering the effects of war. Once again, we’re opening our arms and our hearts to provide a place of safety and refuge for people forced to leave their country.”