Twenty-one Ukrainian children suffering from cancer have arrived in the UK to receive life-saving care – as Britons are being urged to open their homes to people fleeing the war.
The children and their immediate family members arrived from Poland on Sunday evening and will be assessed before they receive treatment at an appropriate NHS hospital.
Announcing their arrival, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I am proud that the UK is offering lifesaving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment.”
Meanwhile, a scheme to get people in the UK to house Ukrainian refugees in their spare rooms for at least six months will be launched today in the hope that people could start hosting in a week’s time.
People keen to offer refugees shelter in the UK will be able to register their interest in sponsoring Ukrainians through the government’s new humanitarian scheme from today.
Read more: Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees could come to UK – with £10,000 funding per individual
Britons taking part in the “Homes for Ukraine” scheme will receive a £350-a-month “thank you” from the government.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the process of matching Britons with people fleeing the conflict will take place from Friday.
On Sunday, it was disclosed that more than 3,000 visas had been issued to Ukrainians seeking refuge in the UK, with “tens of thousands” potentially set to benefit from the new humanitarian scheme.
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‘Thank you’ to refugee hosts
Mr Gove also announced that local authority areas would be entitled to more than £10,000 per Ukrainian refugee using the fresh route to the UK.
He told Sky News: “For each individual who comes, just over £10,000 per individual will be available to local authorities.
“And then there’ll be additional payments for those children who are of school age and need to be accommodated within the education system.
“Everyone will have access to full NHS care, including mental health.”
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Gove: ‘Refugees will arrive within week’
Boris Johnson has confirmed the UK will supply Ukraine with more than 500 portable generators to help ease the power cuts currently crippling the country.
The generators will provide energy for essential services, including at hospitals and shelters, and will generate enough energy to power 20,000 homes.
The prime minister is preparing to embark on a series of meetings with Nordic and Baltic leaders this week as he seeks to bolster European resilience following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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During this week’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in London, he will urge leaders to work together to ensure no further nations fall victim to President Vladimir Putin’s aggression, Number 10 said.
Mr Johnson will host the group for dinner at his official country residence, Chequers, this evening.
The coalition will then meet in London on Tuesday, before the prime minister is joined by the leaders of Finland and Sweden at Downing Street in the afternoon.