Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees continue to flee their homes each day in the face of continued Russian hostilities. I welcomed the Homes for Ukraine announcement earlier this week, and I am incredibly grateful for the generous and heart-warming support this has received from people all across the UK. You can find more about the scheme and how to register your interest and support at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/
I have been pressing Government to ensure that the protection we provide is robust, and that when refugees arrive they have the safety and support they need. We will be welcoming extremely vulnerable people to our shores, including the elderly and many women and children who have witnessed horrific events. We must ensure the homes and communities they need can support them, protect them, and meet their needs. I have therefore this week raised both the need for robust safeguarding measures and the need for dedicated support for schools who may take on vulnerable refugees with Ministerial colleagues. You can view my question and speech regarding supporting vulnerable refugees here https://youtu.be/nSWqw4H7ZBI and here https://youtu.be/mxNIRu8T2s8.
The community response to support those fleeing the war in Ukraine, from the many, many collections and donations across the constituency to the rally in support of Ukraine that took place in Weybridge, has shown again and again how the plight of these refugees has touched the hearts of people across Runnymede and Weybridge. I will continue to do all I can to support efforts nationally and local to ensure Ukrainian refugees are welcomed to a place of stability, safety and support.
