Government Support for Ukrainians

Seema Malhotra Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley) for securing this debate on what is an important topic for us all. I know that he is a committed advocate for Ukrainians who have sought sanctuary in the UK, particularly in his constituency. I am also grateful to Members from across the House for their contributions.

The people of Devon have helped with the integration of more than 2,300 Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, as the hon. Gentleman referenced, and Devon is one of the few counties supporting over 2,000 Ukrainians. I thank him and everyone in Devon for making such a welcome contribution to what is, as we are all aware, very much a national effort. On that note, I want to recognise the contributions and stories that have been shared in this thought-provoking and important debate. We should honour the efforts and sacrifices made by families who have found themselves split up and living in different countries during this unprovoked war, with the constant and daily anguish that it will bring. I pay tribute to the many local authorities across the country and to the British public for the incredible generosity that has been shown to our Ukrainian guests.

[Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) (Green)]

Will the Minister give way?

[Seema Malhotra]

I am conscious of time; I will try to make some progress before taking an intervention shortly.

Since their launch, the Ukrainian schemes have offered or extended sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians and their families. This is an outstanding response, and one that underlines the deep sympathy and compassion that people across the UK feel towards those who need sanctuary here.

[Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)]

rose—

[Seema Malhotra]

I will give way first to the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Ellie Chowns).

[Ellie Chowns]

The Minister referred to the anguish felt by the Ukrainian families who have been displaced. Does she recognise that uncertainty over visa conditions adds to the anguish faced by those families here in the UK, and indeed to that of their very generous hosts? Will she therefore commit to reviewing the situation and giving them hope for the future?

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I will comment on that matter directly in this debate. I want to take this opportunity to emphasise that the Government’s support for Ukraine remains utterly steadfast.

Members will also be aware of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership, which was signed by the Prime Minister earlier this year. The landmark commitment not only builds on the close relationship we already have with Ukraine, but seeks to formalise closer co-operation in a number of key areas such as trade, security, energy, science and technology, and educational benefits, including a youth compact. It is important that we see that work ongoing, with the partnership bringing economic, cultural and educational benefits to both our countries not just now, but in future.

[Adam Jogee]

Will the Minister join me in doing two things? The first is congratulating the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) on his excellent tie action this evening, which is massively on point. Secondly, and more importantly, will she join me in paying tribute to all those in Newcastle-under-Lyme who have provided sanctuary, safety and security to the Ukrainians who have made their life in our corner of Staffordshire, not least because they stand with the people of Ukraine against Putin and his tyranny?

[Seema Malhotra]

I am indeed very grateful to my hon. Friend’s constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme for the work they have done and the welcome they have provided. On that subject, I have seen the work that has gone on in my own constituency at Cranford community college, along with One World Strong, led by Alan Fraser and Kevin Prunty, an initiative that builds relationships and partnerships between schools, allowing young people in the UK and Ukraine to share their lives, their challenges and their outlooks.

I will turn to the Home Office’s role within what is clearly a cross-Government effort. The Department works closely with key partners including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which has a close relationship with local authorities, devolved Governments and the European Union.

[Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)]

This weekend I met with Karine Osipyan and Artur Manucharyan, who have been told by the Home Office that they were granted permission under the Ukraine family scheme in error, and that their application under the Ukraine permission extension scheme might not be granted. I wrote to the Home Office at the beginning of June on their case but we have yet to hear back. Will the Minister look into this case specifically and meet me to discuss it further?

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that case. He will understand that I cannot comment on individual cases on the Floor of the House, but I assure him that my officials have his constituents’ details and will certainly review their case, and I will update him in the coming days.

Members have asked about any further extensions to the Ukraine permission extension scheme, which we introduced in February to provide an additional 18 months of permission to stay in the UK, with continued access to work, benefits, healthcare and education, as the Prime Minister referred to in Prime Minister’s questions last week. However, I confirm to the House that we will be extending the leave beyond 18 months. We are still working on the detail of that and will update the House as soon as possible. That is important. I understand the comments, questions and challenges and the need to provide certainty, particularly in relation to education, which was also very much on the Home Secretary’s mind.

[Martin Wrigley]

I thank the Minister very much for that announcement; I really appreciate it.

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, it has been very much on the Government’s mind for a number of months as we have been working through the detail. It should be recognised that we are working with the Ukrainian embassy and other stakeholders across the country, including the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, as well as the European Commission and other international partners. It is important to come to a position that balances our responsibilities to those on the schemes and citizens of Ukraine more broadly, along with working alongside the Ukrainian Government in relation to their wishes.

[John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab)]

Only recently I was speaking to a Ukrainian friend who expressed some concern, so they will be extremely grateful for the Minister’s comments. I would like to put on the record that the Ukrainian community in my constituency do wonderful work for the Ukrainians here in our community.

--- Later in debate ---

[Seema Malhotra]

I thank my hon. Friend, who has put that on the record extremely effectively.

I thank the hon. Member for Newton Abbot once again for securing the debate. The United Kingdom has rightly offered support and sanctuary to our Ukrainian friends in their hour of need, including through the schemes that we have discussed. We should all reflect on that with pride. The Government will continue to do right by the Ukrainian people.

Question put and agreed to.