More than 20,000 Britons have already volunteered to welcome Ukrainians into their homes. A few hours after the publication of the new program of ” sponsorship ” from the government, which will pay 400 euros per month to “ host families. The government does not limit the number of Ukrainians who can be accommodated in this way. But the program met with a rather cold welcome from the associations.
With our correspondent in London, Emily Wine
With this second program, Ukrainians no longer need to already have a family member in the UK. But those who can prove a ” link with the country will be privileged.
“ The only ones with the prospect of a safe route to the UK are those who already have a connection or can afford to establish a social connection to secure the support of a sponsor, notes Louise Calvey, of the association Refugee Actionquestioned by the BBC. Will this program really reach the most vulnerable, those who need it most? »
Ukrainian migrants will be able to file their applications online at the end of the week. Lisa Nandy, of the Labor Party, would have liked less red tape for these candidates for exile.
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“ They will still have to complete the current visa application form, 50 pages long, to be completed online. People who are fleeing the war are therefore asked to find a cybercafé, to download documents that they do not have : water bills, electricity bills… To prove who they are. We are behind the generosity of other countries “, denounces this member of the opposition.
The government expects to welcome tens of thousands of Ukrainians. Only 4,000 have so far received a visa.