In the face of Putin’s inhuman and barbaric aggression, all of us can only have the utmost admiration for the spirit and determination of the Ukrainian people. When Russia launched its latest invasion on 24th February, who could have predicted that not only would Kyiv still be standing free almost two months later, but that the British Prime Minister could safely walk the streets alongside the legitimate President of Ukraine?

The value of British support to Ukraine was clear from President’s Zelensky's comments, in which he cited the UK’s leading role on military support and sanctions.

While in Ukraine, the Prime Minister set out new military assistance of 120 armoured vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems, in addition to £100 million worth of high-grade military equipment announced over last weekend, including more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, another 800 anti-tank missiles, and high-tech loitering munitions for precision strikes.

Closer to home, I have had many constituents contact me about support they are offering to Ukrainians, with clusters of potential sponsors increasingly coming together within our communities. The UK is a particularly charitable country, and people in Shropshire always go above and beyond when it comes to helping those in need – we saw this in spades during the covid pandemic, and now again through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

It is frustrating when this characteristic generosity appears to be hampered by bureaucracy. Some of this process is clearly appropriate – bringing people, mostly women and children, to this country to stay with others is complex, and often involves working with other countries to perform needed safeguarding checks, both to ensure that adults travelling with children are who they say they are, and that sponsor hosts have DBS checks and confirmation that their accommodation is fit for purpose. But where we can go faster, we must.

I spoke last week directly to Lord (Richard) Harrington, the new Minister for Refugees appointed on 22nd March, to make clear my view. He told me that the pace was increasing, and that has been born out by my correspondence with constituents, more of whom have told me their sponsored families have successfully received visas in recent days. As of last Wednesday, 71 visas had been issued to Ukrainians coming to Shropshire under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme; and 155 homes in Shropshire are due to be inspected. Across the country, through the Ukrainian Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine, over 40,000 visas have been issued so far. Anyone in Shropshire looking to offer to provide refuge to Ukrainians can find information at https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/homes-for-ukraine/.

I continue to make the government aware of my view of the need to go faster in ensuring refugees can access the generous support offered by the British public.