Continuing to Support Ukrainian Families

The Government’s recent decision to extend the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) will come as a huge relief to Ukrainian families living here in Newbury and across the UK.

Since Putin’s illegal and unprovoked invasion in February 2022, more than 310,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK; rebuilding their homes here and contributing to the communities they now call home.

My visit to Ukraine last year deepened my admiration for its people, but also my commitment to ensuring the UK provides the stability Ukrainian’s desperately need. Since returning, I wrote to the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, joined Liberal Democrat colleagues to force a debate on the scheme, and amplified cross-party calls for long-term stability.

To see the Home Office announce a 24-month extension to the UPS, while expanding the visa application window from 28 days to 90 days is significant step forward. Eligible Ukrainians and their families will be able to stay in the UK for a maximum of three and a half years under the UPS, on top of time already granted under previous Ukraine visa routes.

But while offering sanctuary here is vitally important, we must remain ironclad in our support for Ukraine itself.

More than four years after Putin’s invasion, Ukraine continues to defend democracy and its sovereignty against relentless attacks. Despite Trump’s floundering efforts to arrange a ceasefire, Putin continues to give the illusion of a commitment to peace while launching waves of drones and missiles, deliberately targeting energy infrastructure to exact maximum suffering on civilians as temperatures drop to -20C.

In the months ahead, it’s crucial we work together with our European partners to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine. I commend the government’s decision to bolster our support for Ukraine - not only through weapons, ammunition, sanctions, and humanitarian aid, but equally through our compassion and long-term backing here at home.