So many constituents have asked how they can help Ukrainians in desperate need following the Russian invasion.

The Mayor of London’s office has collated a list of organisations helping on the ground who urgently need support.  You can read the list here.  They have advised that the best way to help is by financial donations rather than food, medicine or clothes.

On Monday 14 March the UK Goverment launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme.  You can find out more and sign up to offer a spare room in your home here.  To take part in this scheme you must be able to house someone for at least 6 months.

Sadly, I’m still hearing from constituents who have signed up to the scheme and are desperate to help but are experiencing Home Office visa delays.  This is an issue Labour has repeatedly raised in Parliament, it is shameful that people in desperate need are being forced to jump through these bureaucratic hoops.  We are the only country in Europe not to offer a simple sanctuary route.

If you are a constituent in this situation, and the person you are sponsoring is waiting for visa approval, I can chase the Home Office for progress on their visa application.  Please get in touch and provide me with the following information:

• Applicant’s full name
• Applicant’s GWF number (this starts with 0604)
• The email address used in the application
• Date of application
• Your address in the constituency

It’s also really important that the applicant keeps checking their own emails, including spam folder, and doesn’t book travel to the UK until their application has been approved.

I understand that the Ukrainian Government has said that they will not allow unaccompanied children to leave Ukraine and as a result the UK Government will not allow unaccompanied child refugees to be sponsored.

I will keep pushing the Government to do more, and you can follow some of the actions I’ve taken in Parliament to date here.