Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have reviewed the case of five Ukrainian members of the Khmelnitsky Orchestra whose visa applications to perform in the UK were initially refused and then delayed, preventing them from performing in The Magical Music of Harry Potter tour on 1 April which was included on the gov.uk website as an example of the strong UK–Ukraine friendship; and what steps they are taking to ensure that this does not happen again.

For the purposes of clarification, all of the Khmelnitsky Orchestra were issued their visas.

Officials across the government endeavoured to ensure the Orchestra could enter the UK as soon as possible, once they had submitted their applications, provided their biometrics and information required in support of their application.

Applications are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules to help avoid delays in processing.

Musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture, and we are pleased that the Ukrainian musicians are now in the UK and the orchestra is able to perform in full.