A RESIDENT from Hook is angry at how long it is taking the Government to process applications to offer a home to Ukrainian refugees.

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, was announced in February by the UK Government, allowing citizens to volunteer to house refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Sponsors agree to offer accommodation for at least six months, with those receiving sponsorship allowed to live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.

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The Government has been criticised for not doing enough to help Ukrainian refugees compared to other European countries, with logistical difficulties causing a backlog in visa applications.

John Mitton who lives in Hook in Basingstoke, and is part of the Hook Host group has expressed his anger at the process after sponsoring two sisters and their cousin who are fleeing the country following Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

John said he has been trying to secure their visas since March 22, with only one of them being granted but said the family wants to stay together.

He said: “There is a whole group of us in Hook who just want to help and are offering our homes, but we can’t because of the paperwork process.

“We just think if it was us then we would want people to help. We just want to help people in need, but the Government is making it impossible, and our local representatives are not fighting our corner.

“I think they could be doing a lot more. It is like with anything the more voices the quicker you get action.”

John said there are ‘over 20’ residents in the Hook area that are trying to offer their home.

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Provisional data from the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows that 29 visas had been issued for refugees staying with hosts based in Basingstoke and Deane as of Wednesday (April 6).

They were among the 12,500 sponsorship visas issued nationally by Thursday (April 7), though just 1,200 refugees – less than 10 per cent – had arrived in the UK through the scheme by April 5 – the latest point at which data on arrivals is available.

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