"Unforgivable delays make Ukrainian children less safe" says Bill Esterson MP

BILL Esterson MP challenged Government Ministers over their treatment of unaccompanied Ukranian children who are waiting for permission to travel to the UK. Following Mr Esterson's intervention in the House of Commons on Monday, 16 May 2022, the visa for an unaccompanied minor on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, whose host lives in Crosby, has now been approved.

Mr Esterson, the MP for Sefton Central, said during Leveling Up Questions in the Commons that he had a constituent who were willing to sponsor a Ukrainian family but because of a pause in the processing of applications of minors traveling without their parents, the whole group had been stopped from reaching sanctuary.

Mr Esterson said the delay had further exposed the failures in the Home Office and the Government more widely in helping Ukrainians fleeing the invasion of the country by Russia. Mr Esterson raised the case of the host family from Crosby with Communities Secretary Michael Gove, who is the Minister responsible for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. On Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the visa application being referred to by Mr Esterson was approved.

Mr Esterson said during questions in the Commons:- "1 of my constituents wants to sponsor a family of Ukrainian children but the pause in applications has delayed their ability to travel here because they're traveling separately. The delay can't be about safeguarding as Ministers have claimed because it has made them less safe. So will the Secretary of State intervene with his Ministerial colleagues and enable Ukrainian children who are at risk to reach sanctuary in this country as soon as possible?"

Mr Gove responded:- "I can't comment on any individual case but it is absolutely the Government's responsibility to ensure that as many Ukrainian parents and children benefit from our scheme. We have to balance safeguarding concerns and indeed the policy of the Ukrainian Government, but he raised as important question."

The case involves a 16 year old who is traveling with his aunt. His mother and father used a notary in Ukraine to get documents signed giving permission for the teenager to travel with his aunt and cousins. But a recent change in policy relating to minors who are not traveling with their parents meant the 16 year old's application was still waiting to be assessed, whereas his aunt and cousin had received their permission to travel documents. The group had to remain in Poland until the pause on applications for unaccompanied minors is lifted.  Mr Esterson was informed that the visa had been approved.

Mr Esterson said:- "Of course there must be safeguarding measures in place but the boy was traveling with other members of his family with documentation that his parents went to great lengths to arrange confirming the aunt had their permission to care for the boy. Denying the group permission to travel was the opposite of safeguarding. It in fact made them all including the boy less safe as they had no accommodation in Poland. There is a wonderful home waiting for them here but these unwieldy processes created a risk to them all. I very much hope they are now able to travel immediately and arrive safely. I was able to assist with this visa but what about the other refugees who are still waiting, where they don't have an MP making the case for them in Parliament. That is not right. What officials are saying is there is no Ministerial direction about unaccompanied minors therefore the visas are not being processed until someone kicks up a fuss. It is unacceptable, a failure of Government toward people most in need."

Other Ukraine visa cases that the MP has raised with Ministers have involved long waits between family members receiving their visas. 1 constituent is hosting a family of 5. The 1st visa was issued on April 13. The last 1 on 9 May 2022.

Mr Esterson said:- "The family can now come here but why did it take so long? My constituents have opened their hearts and opened their homes. There have been unforgivable delays from a Home Office whose systems seem to be designed to stop desperate people from coming to our country for sanctuary. Support for Ukraine includes humanitarian support. It includes offering a warm welcome to those seeking sanctuary. The British public is making the offer. Their Government is undermining their generosity. The Government must change its approach. Fast."

Special Merseyrail 2 Day Saver ticket to mark Jubilee Celebrations

MERSEYRAIL has announced that it is to offer a special ticket to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The Jubilee 2 Day Saver ticket, which will be available online and at Merseyrail Stations will be valid for 2 consecutive days of travel over the Jubilee Bank Holiday, from Thursday, 2 June to Sunday, 5 June 2022. The all areas ticket will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children.

For those making shorter journeys, a 1 area ticket will be available, at Merseyrail Stations only, and will be priced at just £8 for adults and £4 for children.

The ticket is a key part of the City Region rail operator's plan to mark this important National occasion, including:- bringing the celebration to selected Stations on the network and surprise activities at Liverpool Central for those enjoying all that the City Region has to offer over the long weekend.

Those traveling by train also have the chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher if they find a:- 'platinum ticket' in 1 of the specially themed chocolate bars which will be given away in the network's MtoGo stores over the 4 day holiday with any purchase (while stocks last).

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said:- "We know that many people across the City Region will be planning to get out and about over the long Bank Holiday as the country celebrates Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. We wanted to offer a special ticket to make Merseyrail the obvious choice for those heading to events, meeting up with loved ones or simply enjoying some extra well earned time off. The Jubilee 2 Day Saver Ticket offers great value, especially for families heading out to enjoy this time of National celebration and we look forward to welcoming our passengers on board."

Passengers can buy their Jubilee 2 Day Saver in advance now from Merseyrail Stations and on:- Merseyrail.Org.