Sidmouth: 'We should offer sanctuary and support to the people of Ukraine', Simon Jupp MP says

Simon Jupp MP has signed a letter with more than 40 other MPs urging the Prime Minister to help Ukrainian refugees in the EU and UK.

More than half a million people have fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the UN.

The Home Office is currently allowing Ukrainians who are the immediate family of British citizens to come to the UK.

Mr Jupp, MP for East Devon, said in his own words: "We're taking in Ukrainian refugees with family in Britain. But we can do more.

"We should offer sanctuary and support to the people of Ukraine during their time of crisis, providing a route for Ukrainians fleeing disaster, war, and persecution."

The letter

The letter from MPs including Simon Jupp is entitled 'Britain Cannot Fail Refugees in this Crisis of War'.

It praises the economic sanctions already in place, and urges Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide support to refugees, whether they be in the EU or UK, saying 'we recognise that those fleeing their country do so out of fear for their lives and escape from Russian forces' bombardments'.

It also said that the government 'must go further' and work with EU countries and share the responsibility. It urged the government to provide help to countries that are the first 'safe havens' for Ukrainian refugees, including Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia.

The letter ends by saying that 'The United Kingdom cannot flag or fail, our message must be clear: Ukrainian victims of war seeking refuge are welcome.'

Click here to read it in full.

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