Red tape ‘nightmare’ blocks child refugees

VISA restrictions and red tape delays are preventing children in Ukraine fleeing to Britain for safety, say children’s charities.

Child refugees are falling through cracks in the system, with long delays by the Home Office in issuing visas coupled with the Ukrainian authorities’ caution over children travelling abroad.

Families in Britain who have offered to take in children from families they have made contact with in Ukraine say they have received little assistance from the Home Office.

Charities have contrasted it to the Kindertransport efforts that were made before the Second World War to rescue children from the Nazis.

The founder of a charity working with children in Ukraine has waited for three weeks to hear whether she will be able to host a 12-year-old girl, whose mother wants her to leave the country for her own safety.

Nikki Bennett, 49, and her husband Jason, 52, have consent from the mother of Milana Matkovska to bring her from Ukraine to north London.

Ms Bennett says Milana is being let down by an apparent reluctance by the Home Office to help children like her make the journey to safety.

She has repeatedly phoned the Home Office, only to be told Milana’s visa is still being processed.

“There is no reason for this delay. It’s a bureaucratic nightmare,” she added. “Milana has given her full consent, she wants this to happen.

“She is messaging me all the time, and I tell her I’m trying. She’s become withdrawn and tearful.”

The Home Office said the Homes for Ukraine Scheme was not intended for unaccompanied minors.