Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateAnum Qaisar
Main Page: Anum Qaisar (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)Department Debates - View all Anum Qaisar's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(2 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberThat will happen as quickly as possible, not least because of the impassioned advocacy of my hon. Friend.
Many of my constituents have expressed to me their concern that the UK is simply not doing enough to help Ukrainian refugees. This Tory Government, of course, have form. Whether we are talking about refugees from Syria, Afghanistan or Ukraine, they have a tendency to introduce red tape and shy away from their moral duty.
In his answers today, the Secretary of State has repeatedly referred to a “warm welcome”—which was, of course, the name given to the scheme designed to help Afghans. We know that that scheme is not running as smoothly as it should be, and it is not necessarily a “warm welcome”. What reassurances can the Secretary of State give us that these are not empty words, and that those who are fleeing conflict will be genuinely welcomed?
The good news is that the hon. Lady’s predecessor as Member of Parliament for Airdrie and Shotts—one of north Lanarkshire’s finest—is now the Minister in the Scottish Government responsible for this. I look forward to working with Neil Gray, a great man.