Like you, I have been watching the desperate plight of the Ukrainian people over the last few days. We are all finding this deeply distressing. We are all appalled by the actions of President Putin’s regime in Ukraine. We are equally inspired by the courage and heroism of this brave nation.

I am proud of the support we are giving in lethal aid, humanitarian support and in welcoming people to the UK. I applaud the determined way we are working closely with the US, the EU and other nations.

Let me also tell you what the Home Office is doing to help refugees, most of whom simply want a safe haven until it is safe to return to their beloved homeland.

The support to resident British nationals and their families who want to leave Ukraine to come to the UK is a key priority, and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) staff are working around the clock to process visa applications.

Although the UK Visa Application Centre in Kyiv is now closed because of the security situation in the city, family members of British nationals resident in Ukraine who need a UK visa can still apply through the new temporary location in Lviv, or through an Application Centre in a nearby country, including Poland, Romania, Moldova and Hungary.

Essential security and biometrics checks, which are a fundamental part of our visa approval process at all Visa Application Centres worldwide, will continue to take place at an accelerated pace on all applications. Given the acute security challenge in Ukraine the government is right to protect the public by maintaining these vital checks, as we did during the evacuation from Kabul last summer.

In addition, the government has already made changes to the immigration system to help Ukrainians wishing to come to the UK.

Waived the application fee for immediate family members of British nationals living in Ukraine as a family unit who apply under the Family Migration route. This has supported hundreds of British nationals and their families resident in Ukraine to leave.

Where family members of British nationals do not meet the usual eligibility criteria (but pass security checks), UKVI will give them permission to enter the UK outside the rules for 12 months and is prioritising these applications. This includes changes to the normal language requirements and salary thresholds.

Changes to allow Ukrainian nationals already in the UK on a visitor visa to switch into a points-based route or a family visa route free of charge.

Ukrainians already settled in the UK now have the ability to bring over their immediate Ukrainian family members.

Those with temporary employment visas have had their visa extended until at least 31 December 2022 if they cannot return to Ukraine.

Taken together it is estimated these moves are expected to benefit all Ukrainians already in the UK and up to 100,000 Ukrainians more. They will have the right to work, education, and training, as well as public funds. Applications are being processed in a matter of hours, with staff then working as fast as possible to issue to the person.

I am urging the government to be as generous as possible, without removing security checks. Naturally the situation is kept under constant review as the circumstances on the ground develops. If we need to do more and go further, we will.