Last week (20 June 2022) in the House of Commons, High Peak MP Robert Largan called on the Home Secretary to do more to ensure that child refugees arriving in the United Kingdom from Ukraine can continue their education.
This follows reports that Mr Largan has received that suggest some children have had their applications for local schools rejected.
Mr Largan asked the Home Secretary:
“I am proud that a large number of my constituents have welcomed Ukrainian families into their homes as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and I am pleased to have been able to help a number of those families now living in the High Peak to navigate the visa application process. However, some of those children have had their applications for local schools rejected. May I urge the Home Secretary to have urgent conversations with the Department for Education on solving this issue so that children who are here having fled a war zone can continue their education?”
The Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, replied:
“My hon. Friend raises an important point. If I may, on behalf of all of us in Government, I will thank and commend all members of the British public who have been supporting our schemes. It is important that we do everything we can across Government to support the education of children in our schools. In April, the Secretary of State for Education got in touch with every single local authority chief executive officer as well as directors of children’s services to outline clearly the requirements on schools and the funding coming from Government. I will of course pick up any points that my hon. Friend has from his constituency and raise them directly.”
As of 14 June 2022, 130,300 visas have been issued to Ukrainian refugees, with 42,200 under the Ukraine Family Scheme and 88,000 through the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:
“Over the past three months, I have been working hard to support visa applications for Ukrainian refugees coming to the UK.
“It is a testament to the spirit of the people of High Peak that so many have opened their doors to refugees fleeing Putin’s war.
“I remain concerned about the support available for child refugees, and I will be working closely with ministerial colleagues to ensure that they have access to the tools they need for the best possible start in life.”
