5,000,000
-
Where do they go?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Monday for Britain to ease visa demands on Ukrainian refugees fleeing conflict, saying Britain was a generous country but it needed to maintain checks on who was arriving.
The United Nations estimates that more than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia started bombarding its neighbour, with hundreds of thousands pouring into Poland, Romania, Slovakia and elsewhere.
Responding to criticism Britain was not doing enough and was far behind its European neighbours in helping address the continent's biggest humanitarian crisis since World War Two, Johnson said:
"We are a very, very generous country. What we want though is control and we want to be able to check." he told reporters. "I think it's sensible given what's going on in Ukraine to make sure that we have some basic ability to check who is coming in."
The British government has been condemned by charities, opposition lawmakers and France after its insistence that refugees first acquire a visa meant some Ukrainians have been stuck in the French city of Calais, unable to enter Britain, and provoking a diplomatic row. read more
The European Union has agreed to grant temporary residency to Ukrainians fleeing the invasion and give them access to employment, social welfare and housing for up to three years.
Britain has announced visa schemes for those who have family in the country or a willing sponsor. Media reports at the weekend said Britain had only issued about 50 visas for Ukrainians so far, although Johnson disputed that without giving further details.
-
saying Britain was a generous country but
-
@Aqua-Letifer said in 5,000,000:
saying Britain was a generous country but
Yeah, let's take the opportunity to make this about how great the British are, meanwhile doing sweet FA to help.
-
@Doctor-Phibes said in 5,000,000:
@Aqua-Letifer said in 5,000,000:
saying Britain was a generous country but
Yeah, let's take the opportunity to make this about how great the British are, meanwhile doing sweet FA to help.
Serious question: I don't know of any Brit who's a fan of BoJo at this point. Are there any? What do they look like? Are they normal? Like, able to order coffee at shops and such?
-
@Aqua-Letifer said in 5,000,000:
Serious question: I don't know of any Brit who's a fan of BoJo at this point. Are there any? What do they look like? Are they normal? Like, able to order coffee at shops and such?
Any normal person should be able to see what a bastard he is. The problem is, he can be quite charming, and he's genuinely funny - he's essentially the love child of Hugh Grant and Mr. Blobby.
I don't think anybody thinks he's doing a great job. There was a lot of sympathy when he was hospitalised with Covid (ignoring the fact that he'd been blundering around shaking hands with Covid patients like a complete arse), but that's worn off, and the ill-feeling regarding all those drinks parties during lockdown goes pretty deep.
My father in law is quite a big Conservative Party supporter, and a very smart guy. I should really ask him what he thinks if I ever get the chance to see him again.
-
@Doctor-Phibes said in 5,000,000:
@Aqua-Letifer said in 5,000,000:
saying Britain was a generous country but
Yeah, let's take the opportunity to make this about how great the British are, meanwhile doing sweet FA to help.
Send The Resident an email. I'm sure he'll get right on it.