Northampton woman calls for UK settled status for Ukrainians

Valentina Potter was reunited with her sister and her family after they fled Ukraine for the UK

A Ukrainian woman has urged the British government to help people who fled the war to settle permanently.

Valentina Potter, who lives in Northampton, was reunited with her sister Hanna two years ago after battling to bring her to the UK.

She said having to continually apply for visa extensions was disruptive to people's work and education.

A Home Office spokesperson said it recognised Ukraine's wishes for its citizens to return when it is safe.

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Ms Potter told BBC Radio Northampton her sister returned to Ukraine after six months because it was difficult living without her husband.

She has since provided accommodation for other family members, whose home in Ukraine was destroyed by a bomb shortly after they fled.

Vinnytsia, where Ms Potter's sister lived, has been bombed several times

She said: "The government originally gave them a three-year visa [and] now they're talking about an 18-month extension that people would need to apply for.

"My bugbear with that is the constantly temporary solutions.

"My cousins, they've lost everything, there is no house, there is nowhere to go back to.

"The 15-year-old daughter, if she passes GCSEs a few months after her visa finishes, would she be allowed to stay here, does she study in English, does she study in Ukrainian?"

Ms Potter says nowhere is safe in Ukraine and refugees need certainty about their futures in the UK

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Since the launch of our Ukraine schemes, the UK has offered visas to over 280,000 Ukrainians.

"Our priority remains continuing to provide safe and secure haven for those fleeing the ongoing conflict, whilst providing certainty and assurance for Ukrainians in the UK on their future as the war continues.

"The temporary nature of our Ukraine schemes recognises the wishes of the Ukrainian government to eventually see their citizens return to help rebuild the country when it is safe to do so."