425 Ukrainians refugees await visa approval to stay in Birmingham
HOSTS in Birmingham are waiting for 425 Ukrainian visa applications to be approved by the Home Office, as Birmingham City Council seeks to negotiate a new contract with a charity to help streamline resettlement.
Documents at a council cabinet meeting revealed that, up to April 12, 425 Ukrainians were awaiting approval of their visa application to a matched sponsor in Birmingham.
The report claims 182 sponsors have offered accommodation to Ukrainian refugees.
But according to the Home Office’s own data, 134 visas have been issued for Ukrainians who are sponsored under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The council hopes to negotiate a 12-month contract with Refugee Action, a provider of refugee resettlement, to take in up to 1,000 refugees.
With 425 refugees expected to arrive, they estimate the cost to be £3.1 million, though they note the Homes for Ukraine scheme is uncapped.
The charity has historically supported Syrian and Afghani refugees
to build safe new lives in Birmingham under existing contracts with the council.
The Labour-led local authority hopes the new contract can start “as soon as possible” to help Ukrainians in need.
The council also acknowledged, however, the financial support and provisions will be “time-limited” and “dependent upon available contingency resources”.
Tristan Chatfield, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “The situation in Ukraine resulted from the war by Putin. We’ve seen huge numbers seeking refuge to other countries, including here in the UK.
“As you see in the report, sponsors being issued and visa application has increased rapidly.
“Birmingham is ready to play its part in welcoming our Ukrainian guests to the city.
“This number is likely to increase rapidly as well, and it’s worth bearing in mind this scheme, unlike some previous resettlement schemes, is uncapped.
“Previously we had taken 110 a year from the Syrian resettlement schemes. We’ve passed that number in the first six weeks of this scheme. The demand for places in the city is rising.”
It comes as protests took place outside the Home Office in London on Monday by would-be hosts of Ukrainian families, who said they are still waiting for their applications to be processed more than a month after submitting them. Two schemes have been set up to help settle Ukrainians into the UK: the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme and the ‘Ukraine Family Scheme’.
Multiple demonstrations outside Birmingham council house in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, have also taken place on a weekly basis.