THE SNP’s shadow home affairs spokesperson has criticised the “shambolic” visa system for Ukrainians and told the Government to allow visa-free access and “get things moving”.
During Home Office questions in the House of Commons, Stuart McDonald said there are currently more Ukrainians sheltered in Ireland than in the UK.
The Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East MP pointed to the 140 other countries which currently allow visa-free access for Ukrainians.
But Patel rejected McDonald's calls to scrap the current system, citing security concerns.
READ MORE: Scottish host family in call for overhaul of 'broken' Homes for Ukraine scheme
McDonald said: “The real reason for this is the unnecessary, inappropriate and shambolic visa system that the Home Secretary has decided to impose.
“Approximately 140 other countries allow visa-free access. Surely even at this late stage she must lift visa requirements for all or at least some Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s war and get things moving.”
The Home Secretary responded, saying “we are not members of the EU, we do not have open borders”, adding “in this particular case vital security checks are very important”.
Patel also defended the “low” numbers of people from Ukraine coming to the UK, saying it was because many liked to stay near closer to the war-torn country.
Labour's shadow Home Office minister Holly Lynch referenced reports of a Home Office whistleblower describing the scheme as “designed to fail”.
She said that 40,000 visas have been issued under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
But Lynch added: “Yet just 6600 Ukrainians have actually arrived in the UK because families who need to travel together cannot do so, because just one family member, often a child, will have their visas delayed.”
Patel claimed the reason for the low numbers was because families wanted to stay in the region.
Patel said: “In terms of the reason … of why low numbers have come to the UK, as I’ve already said, over 71,000 visas for both schemes have been granted, and it is a fact, and in fact the refugees minister, the honourable member Lord Harrington went to the region just … 10 days ago to find out why and what more could be done to bring families that have been granted their visas to come over.
“First and foremost, as we’ve heard repeatedly from the Ukrainian government… and from governments in the region as well … first of all that those families want to stay in the region.”
It comes as more than 800 Ukrainian refugees have been waiting since March to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, according to would-be sponsors.
British hosts frustrated by delays have compiled a spreadsheet detailing how many refugees are waiting since the sponsorship scheme opened on March 18.
It shows that visa applications for at least 622 Ukrainians, sponsored by 310 UK hosts, are still outstanding after being made during the first week.
A further 261 refugees, sponsored by 130 Britons, are waiting for a decision on applications made during the second week of the scheme.
And 128 Ukrainians who applied under the scheme, sponsored by 43 hosts, after April 1 are still waiting.
READ MORE: 'I have left everything behind': Ukrainian refugee on her new life in Scotland
The data is not exhaustive and is likely to be an underestimate of the true numbers waiting since March, organisers believe.
Official figures show that there have been 65,900 applications under the sponsorship scheme since last Wednesday, with 39,300 visas issued.
As of last Monday, 6600 refugees had arrived in the UK under the scheme (17% of those with visas).
Addressing the point on younger children, she said: “Much of that is down to the checks because they’re not always travelling with parents and safeguarding checks are being undertaken to ensure that they are all linked members of families.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel