The first matches for Britain’s new Homes for Ukraine scheme are now being made, with tens of thousands registering their interest in becoming a sponsor for Ukrainians fleeing the war and offering a place of safety. Ukrainians who do not have family ties in the UK are able to get a visa valid for up to three years, and the Welsh Government has confirmed the option to take up accommodation in Wales under the scheme will be available from Saturday (26 March). Monmouthshire stands ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees and I very much hope we will shortly see people start to arrive here.
I know concerns have been raised about red tape, safeguarding and resourcing – with calls for no visas or paperwork at all. There are obvious security issues when you consider a large part of Ukraine has been under Russian control for some time. These areas are likely to contain hostile people, so it is only right that applicants are vetted and undergo security checks. The second issue is around safeguarding. Unaccompanied and separated children will not be housed until the UK Government is satisfied there are no extended family members who can look after them. We also have to be mindful that the Ukraine Government is keen to ensure people are not too far from the border because many have relatives fighting on the front line. President Zelensky is determined to win this war and wants Ukrainians to come back and rebuild their country.
I was delighted to attend a fundraising event at St Arvans Memorial Hall over the weekend, which raised £5,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The whole village was unanimous in its support for Ukraine and I met several residents who want to host refugees. There was a recorder playathon and danceathon, with Chepstow Singing Club leading a tea-time singing hour. Congratulations to the team of organisers and special thanks to Judith who took me for a salsa spin on the dancefloor! There is still time to donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/starvansfundraiserukraine
Things are returning to normal in Westminster with the lifting of Covid restrictions and I was able to welcome my first student back for work experience last week. I always receive lots of applications but due to demand, my policy is to prioritise constituents. I am particularly interested to hear from A-level or university students studying politics and they certainly do not have to be supporters of the Conservative Party. I am sure the young lady I hosted won’t mind me saying I failed to change her mind after eight hours!
*Published in the Monmouthshire Beacon on 23 March 2022 and the Abergavenny Chronicle on 24 March 2022*