Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of safe and legal routes to the UK from Ukraine for children and families who have been displaced.

The Government has introduced two new schemes: the Ukraine Family Scheme announced on 4 March and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme announced 14 March.

The Government has established a Ukraine Family Scheme which is fee free and allows British nationals and people settled in the UK to bring extended family members to the UK, covering immediate family members plus parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws. In addition, immediate family members of the extended family can also come to the UK. Individuals will be granted leave for three years, giving them certainty and securing their future in the country.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme, announced on 14 March and led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, enables Ukrainians who may not have family ties in the UK to be sponsored to come to the UK by willing and able individuals, businesses, or community organisations.

There is no numerical limit on either scheme as we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and, for the sponsorship scheme, that are eligible and have matched sponsors