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SCOTLAND “STANDS READY” to take in 3,000 Ukrainian refugees immediately, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said as she pledged the country could be a “super sponsor” for those fleeing the war.
The Scottish National Party leader said the proposal could help refugees get to Scotland quickly amid concerns that the UK government’s refugee scheme could be “slow and cumbersome”.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove insisted the government’s approach is the “fastest way” of providing people with support, with people in the UK being urged to sign up if they are prepared to take Ukrainians into their homes for up to six months.
While more than two million people are now thought to have left Ukraine following the Russian invasion, the UK Government has so far issued more than 3,000 visas to those looking to escape the conflict.
Sturgeon said she had made clear to Westminster that the Scottish Government “stand ready to welcome 3,000 Ukrainians as an immediate step” and would then take “at least a proportionate share” of people coming to the UK.
“What matters most is getting them here quickly, safely and with minimum bureaucracy and maximum support,” she insisted.
The Scottish First Minister set out her position in a series of tweets at the same time as the UK Government set out details of its Homes for Ukraine scheme – which will take an uncapped number of refugees.
4/ I have said to UK gov that we stand ready to welcome 3000 Ukrainians as an immediate step - and then at least a proportionate share of total coming to UK overall. What matters most is getting them here quickly, safely and with minimum bureaucracy and maximum support
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 13, 2022
A website that allows people to register their interest in taking part in the scheme will open on Monday.
Scottish residents can either open their homes to refugees or alternatively offer them a separate property to stay in.
All those offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainians coming to the UK under the scheme will undergo security checks.
Sponsors will have to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for a minimum stay of six months but will receive £350 per month in return.
Sturgeon said it was “vital” that this community sponsorship should be “easy to use, fast, humane and safe”.
Having the Scottish and Welsh governments acting as “super sponsors” would allow large numbers of refugees to come to those countries quickly, Sturgeon added.
In the first wave, Scotland would expect to take in 3,000 and Wales 1,000 – with more welcomed in later waves.
Sturgeon and her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford have already set out their proposals in a letter to Gove.
This morning, the Scottish First Minister tweeted: “If UK gov is not willing (wrongly in my view) to waive visa requirements for Ukrainians seeking refuge as other countries have done, it is vital that its community sponsorship scheme is easy to use, fast, humane and safe.”
While she said the devolved administration did not “yet know all the details” of the UK’s proposed scheme, she added: “I am worried that it will be slow and cumbersome (people will need sponsors arranged before entry to UK), lack proper support and safeguarding, and not be sustainable for length of time people may need to be here.
“That is why @scotgov is offering to act as a ‘super sponsor’ – this would allow significant numbers to arrive here quickly and be temporarily accommodated while we work with local partners to arrange longer-term housing (inc from volunteers) and arrange safeguarding & support.
“I have said to UK gov that we stand ready to welcome 3000 Ukrainians as an immediate step – and then at least a proportionate share of total coming to UK overall. What matters most is getting them here quickly, safely and with minimum bureaucracy and maximum support.”
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Great to see President Clinton looking so well at 71 after all the stories about I’ll health in recent years.
@Donal Hanley: just heard him on the radio, he doesn’t sound that well
@Donal Hanley: He looks ghastly.
Why was Denis O’Brien at the event?
@Michael Lang: well, there goes the “comment closed” train if anyone answers that!
@Gulliver Foyle: FG supporters always go very quiet and slightly menacing if I raise Denis O’Brien in polite company.
@Michael Lang: O’Brien is good friends with the Clintons.
@Daniel Donovan: and did Denis O’Brien play a role in the Good Friday Agreement?
@Michael Lang: No! Try Haiti. The Clinton Foundation. Donations. Contracts. The lack of rebuilding in Haiti despite millions pouring in is sickening. Bill Clinton was appointed to spearhead the re development. Not a lot has been done.
@Michael Lang: Quiet and menacing account tje same time? That’s quote a feat.
@John Campbell: And lowry still has his seat. what’s wrong with the voters in tipperary north?
@Michael Lang: he sorted the boys out with mobile phones
3 items with Billy Clinton in the journal in the one day! Is he thinking of running for Micheal D’s job
All this back slapping is vomit enducing, there maybe peace “of sorts” but the inherent despising of both communicaties of each other is palpable. The cost of maintaining this farcical truce has been obscene, either through outrageous subsidising or schemes that earn trouble makers vast sums to behave themselves. Interesting also, Clinton and Ahern taking all the credit, both of dubious and flawed character.
@Joseph Dempsey: ask the people who weren’t murdered over the last 20 years if they think it was worth it.
@Joseph Dempsey: I was sceptical at the time and I voted against it. I grew up in the border region and wasn’t happy that men who had murdered people I knew were going to be freed from prison after serving very little time. But while that still bothers me I am happy to say that I was wrong for voting no because the positives have far outweighed the negatives and peace has lasted. I didn’t think it would.
The right politicians were in power at the right time. No way would Trump, May, Leo, O’Neill and Foster have had the balls or the know-how to do what those guys did. The current crop would never even have gotten around a table.
Yea it was a fantastic agreement but something new is needed, the shower up the road care more for Language Acts, Flags and Parades than governing. The Bomb maybe out of politics up there but the two communities still have major issues with each other.
We need the middle ground to rise again up there or a party that is not stuck in the past and can attract voters from both sides.
@Philip Morgan: The middle ground is knowing how better Ireland would be as one sovereign nation, recognising the diversity of cultures and working hard to make Ireland a better place for everyone. One hundred years on from partition we must count the cost of division and look to a better future. No point in celebrating anything until we recognise the mistakes made by earlier generations and make an effort to fix Ireland.
Tells a terrible analogy & manages to spoil black panther at the same time. Keep on trucking bill
This is what my college fees are going towards? Joke…
tiresome back slapping pike of self congratulatory nonsense, however bill at least managed to stay awake. Just curious has anyone noticed, nothing has actually REALLY changed. Bertie has some neck all the same, at least clinton was gracious enough to mention both John Major and Albert Reynolds, both of whom actually started the process, mean while outside, bigoted Peter Robinson couldn’t contain his hatred “how’s the missus Peter? still got a large small on her face??
I don’t watch many films, can anyone expand on the why bill is like a panther who’s specific colour is blank, unlike all the other panthers I’ve seen :-/
have your say