Tim Farron calls on Home Secretary to give more certainty to Ukraine refugees living in Cumbria

On the third year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, asking for Ukrainian refugees to be able to stay in Cumbria for longer.

Many Ukrainian nationals, who moved to the county after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, will soon have to apply to extend their visa via the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

The scheme offers just an 18-month extension, leading to many refugees in Cumbria worried about whether they can persuade landlords and employers that they can be long term, reliable tenants and employees.

There are currently 374 Ukrainian refugees living in Westmorland and Furness.

In a letter to the Home Secretary, Tim said: “As well as being proud of the fact that our country has been a place of sanctuary for thousands of people fleeing from devastating war, I’m also delighted that over these past three years many Ukrainian refugees have been able to make a home here, work here and become part of our communities.

“However from speaking to Ukrainian refugees living in Cumbria, many are increasingly worried about their future. Many of their three year visas are about to expire but they are only allowed to apply for an 18 month extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

“Many of them are very worried that having this short period of further leave will make it very difficult to persuade landlords and employers that they can be long term, reliable tenants and employees. 

“Equally, they are not able to enrol onto Higher Education courses which finish beyond the time that their leave ends - this is detrimental especially for those young people who have done so well to adjust to being in the UK and are ready for University. Many families expressed to me the negative impact on their wellbeing of the uncertainty of their future beyond a year, particularly for parents whose children have settled into schools in the UK.  

“A longer period of leave, for example three years would provide a little more certainty to these Ukrainians in my constituency as they seek to contribute to live in their communities and do what they can to progress their lives in the UK whilst it is unsafe for them to do so in Ukraine.”