Are the UK government doing enough for Ukrainian refugees?
As I write this, the UK government have extended their policy to loosen visa requirements for Ukrainians who have a family member currently living in the UK meaning that these refugees can live & work in the UK for up to 12 months which as of today applies to children, grandparents, parents, siblings etc. This is a great step forward from yesterday when many Ukrainians in the UK found themselves unable to open their homes to loved ones, yet decisions from neighbouring nations such as Ireland to lift visa requirements for any Ukrainians fleeing the conflict raises questions about the effectiveness of the UK’s policies for those without family members in the UK who are running for their lives. Home Secretary Priti Patel insists that the UK will not waive visa restrictions for Ukrainians due to ‘security concerns’, referencing the Salisbury poisoning by Russia on UK soil in 2018. Whilst we can acknowledge these justifications as legitimate, it still leaves the question of morality - is it justified to shut the door and leave thousands of innocent people on the other side in danger, for the unlikely fear that one dangerous person might slip through, even though Russia have already attacked on UK soil with the current restrictions? MPs & UK citizens alike feel that the decision will worsen the refugee crisis across Europe and rob refugees of a place of safety.
Additionally, it is hard not to take Patel’s words with a pinch of salt as she currently is trying to pass a new Nationality & Borders Bill, in which Clause 11 states that refugees arriving in the UK through unofficial channels (i.e. most Ukrainian refugees seeking immediate help without a family member in the UK) can be subject to severe punishment and pushbacks. We rejoice that today the House of Lords overwhelmingly rejected this clause in the bill, and it will be interesting to watch how the bill is amended going forward.
Further complication comes when we compare the UK strategies to other European nations, as although the UK are claiming to be a friend and ally to Ukraine, they are no longer part of the EU and therefore could claim that they have no ‘responsibility’ to host those fleeing from Ukraine. So far, the government has listened to petitions, protests and pressure from the public & politicians alike in relaxing visa restrictions, so it is not clear whether there will be further expansion & loosening of these restrictions as the crisis continues to unfold.
Petition for the UK to waive visa restrictions for Ukrainians:
