Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, 4.3 million people have fled the country, with the number likely to grow as the conflict escalates. The British business community has mobilised to offer jobs to the refugees.
To date, some 65,000 Ukrainians have applied for visas through the UK Home Office’s Ukraine Family and Ukraine Sponsorship Schemes. But as of 31 March, less than half (29,200) of these visa requests have been issued.
There has been pressure on the British government to make it easier to hire refugees, with Marks & Spencer, Asos and recruiter Robert Walters among an initial group of 45 large firms to contact the Home Office.