The Rachel Maclean MP column:
AS WE mark the weeks since Russia’s appalling unprovoked attack against a sovereign Ukraine, the UK government remains committed to support the Ukrainian people.
I am proud of our record in leading the way globally in defending Ukraine and making sure Putin fails.
Working with our allies, we’re punishing Russian aggression with the most severe package of sanctions Russia has ever seen.
We are also supporting Ukraine as their largest bilateral humanitarian donor, providing almost £400million in aid alongside defensive support and our offers of sanctuary.
Recently I visited a Ukraine donation point in Redditch and was moved by the generosity of our community and the dedicated volunteers leading the effort.
I welcomed the news that Ukrainians with passports coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme can apply online and undertake biometric checks once they arrive in Britain, speeding up the application process and making sure they can get to safety quickly.
Additionally, the uncapped Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow sponsors in the UK – who will receive £350 a month in support – to register their interest in providing homes or spare rooms to individual Ukrainians or Ukrainian families.
More than 100,000 sponsors have signed up so far and I will work to see how I can support any Ukrainians settling in Redditch.
We are using new powers in our Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act to sanction individuals and entities, including Putin’s political allies, propagandists, and oligarchs and their family members. We have also increased tariffs on £900million of Russian goods.
We are leading the way on the global stage, working with our international partners to ensure Putin’s barbaric venture ends in failure.
Rachel Maclean MP
