Southport MP supports visas for Ukrainian students and academics.

Damien Moore MP has joined forces with a cross-Party group of over 140 UK Parliamentarians to call on the Government to create a fast-track visa scheme for Ukrainian students and academics.

There has been a comprehensive package of support for those fleeing Ukraine, but academia is one area in which the UK visa system can be expanded.

Mr. Moore and his Parliamentary colleagues believe that it is vital to support the thousands of students and academics that have been disrupted and displaced by Russia’s illegal invasion and occupation of Ukraine.

Students studying core subjects such as engineering and medicine must be able to continue their studies, as their skills will be vital in reconstructing Ukraine and securing peace in the region for the long term.

Western institutions provide the necessary support to education providers, including universities and the Council for At-Risk Academics, to match academics with suitable British institutions.

It is important that President Putin’s narrative that Ukraine is not a country is challenged collectively in academic discourse, and that Ukrainian civil society and civic identity are preserved.

There are now calls on the Government to expand the £3 million offered through the “Researchers at Risk” programme to support domestic institutions, and the Ukrainian students and academics brought into the U.K. through the fast-track visa route.  

The visa scheme will provide a temporary sanctuary for these students and academic, all or most of whom will want to return to Ukraine to help rebuild Ukrainian civic institutions, politics, culture and economy.

The move has also been supported by Universities UK, an organisation that represents 140 of the UK's universities.

Mr. Moore’s submission of this letter alongside cross-Party Parliamentary colleagues follows his early successful efforts to get Southport Town Hall to fly the Ukrainian flag in a show of solidarity with Ukraine and its democracy and freedom.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:

“Over the last few months, my office has been working tirelessly to help many Ukrainians and their family flee the Russian-caused devastation and find sanctuary in the UK. We have supported many people from all walks of life in Ukraine, all united by their need to flee the danger caused by Russian troops, and it is the plight of these people that has fed into my decision to sign this letter.

“Ukraine’s students are a crucial part of their country’s future, whom we should support in continuing their studies here in the UK so that they are well placed to help rebuild their country after the horrific devastation that Russia’s invasion has caused.

“The Prime Minister has rightly shown the international community that the UK, from London to Southport and indeed all over our country, stands ready to stand up to President Putin, and so I join my Parliamentary colleagues in calling for this small yet extremely significant step to do what we can to help.

“We must ensure that we continue doing all we can to stand up for democracy and freedom in Ukraine, and for the right of a people to be free from tyranny and persecution.”

Andrew Rosindell MP, who organised the letter commented:

“It is vital that those within the education sphere can continue their work, they must be given the opportunity to continue their education and output to rebuild Ukraine after the war.

As a country, we have always stood up on the side of freedom and for what is right, and we must do so again today. Where we can help the most, we should.”

Vivienne Stern MBE, Director of Universities UK, said:

“Universities UK is pleased to see the UK Government support for Ukrainian academics at risk along with the announcement of hardship funding for Ukrainian students in England. 

“We are now backing this call for the government to go further in supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine, including by making it easier to unlock opportunities in higher education.”