In My View: Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood
The war in Ukraine has shocked residents across my constituency, with hundreds of people getting in touch to express their concerns about Vladimir Putin’s violent, unprovoked, unjustified invasion.
It was extremely moving to listen to President Zelenskyy address the House of Commons recently. His leadership, courage and resolve are extraordinary and humbling in the face of such aggression.
The war in Ukraine has already led to millions of civilians being displaced. We have seen shocking scenes of barbaric cruelty and devastation by Putin’s forces and people across Ukraine are fleeing to safety.
The UK Government was far too slow to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, initially issuing just a tiny number of visas while other European countries were welcoming hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians.
In addition, visas were only open to Ukrainians seeking to be reunited with family members in the UK, with no scheme for those who did not already have family members here.
The Government has bowed to the enormous pressure from the public that we must do more to help Ukrainians fleeing the war,
and last week announced a community sponsorship scheme.
But the details of how to apply, the requirements and the paperwork needed have changed every few days, and it still isn’t clear how people who need accommodation in the UK are supposed to be matched with families who are willing to host.
Community sponsorship is a valued and important route to sanctuary in the UK and I am proud that our local area has welcomed several families through community sponsorship in recent years.
The programme the Government has announced lacks the support offered through community sponsorship, and it is being left to communities and our local councils to organise the help and support traumatised Ukrainians will need.
While I’m sure our communities will provide a brilliant welcome, this isn’t good enough.
I am continuing to call for the Government to ensure a simple route for people fleeing the horror of war in Ukraine to come to the UK and all the support they need to come to terms with their trauma.
The Government must step up to meet the scale of the challenge.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
