Patel ‘sorry’ over visa red tape for refugees

THE Home Secretary has apologised “with frustration” after coming under fire over “delays” in the time it is taking for Ukrainian refugees to arrive in the UK.

But Priti Patel denied visa requirements and checks are slowing the process and causing delays, insisting the UK will “absolutely see changes in numbers” as work continues.

Around 12,000 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes as of Tuesday, according to Home Office figures.

Some 10,800 people had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme but only 1,200 had made it to the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data published on the department’s website shows.

As of Thursday, about 79,800 applications had been submitted to the schemes and 40,900 visas had been granted. Of these, 43,600 applications were for the sponsorship scheme, with 12,500 visas issued.

Out of 36,300 requests made for family visas, 28,500 had been approved. In a pre-recorded interview with the BBC, which aired on

Friday, Ms Patel said: “I apologise with frustration myself... it takes time to start up a new route.”

The news sparked criticism from politicians, charities and campaigners who reiterated calls for the Government to waive visa requirements to speed up the process. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on Ms Patel to resign over her “failure” to help those fleeing Ukraine with effective refugee schemes. He claimed the Government was “squandering” the “amazing generosity” of Britons who had offered up their homes”.