‘Immoral’ to apply visa restrictions to Ukrainians escaping war, says Labour

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is “immoral” to apply usual visa restrictions to Ukrainians escaping war.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the comments were “appalling misinformation” and said “the facts” were in government guidance that she shared. Ms Patel suggested that the visa application fee is being waived for family members of Britons who live in Ukraine, adding that Ukrainians in the UK are also being given temporary concessions when their visa expires.

According to estimates from the UN refugee agency, almost 116,000 have fled their homes since Putin declared war.  

On Friday, a No 10. spokesperson said that troops had been deployed to aid the humanitarian response in Poland and were “working incredibly closely with Ukraine’s neighbours”.