French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed a new system announced by the British Government to allow more Ukrainians to enter the country, suggesting it proved there was a problem with how it reacted to the refugee crisis coming from Ukraine.
"I welcome the British shift, which shows there was a problem, despite what was being said,"
"I think nobody would have understood that despite all the grand statements we did together, the British government continued to apply current rules that meant they did not welcome Ukrainian refugees who wanted to reach British soil."
France and Britain engaged in discussions over the treatment of Ukrainian refugees stuck in the French port of Calais last week.
SARAH MEYSSONNIER
The move comes after Priti Patel came under heavy criticism for her handling of the refugee crisis which the UN described as the worst since World War 2.
The Home Secretary was urged by MPs to relax visa regulations and make it easier for those fleeing to enter the UK.
On Monday, Ms Patel changed the rules so that people will be able to apply online for a visa without having to go to a processing centre to give their biometrics.
Britain said a system to streamline refugee requests would be put in place next week.
The Government is set to unveil plans on Moday which call on the British public to house Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their country.
Home Secretary Priti Patel speaking to the media outside the Ukrainian embassy in London. Picture date: Sunday March 6, 2022.
Yui Mok
Michael Gove, Levelling Up Secretary, will announce the new scheme on Monday, detailing the new humanitarian route that will allow Ukrainians without family links in Britain to take refuge for an initial period of 12 months.
Individuals, charities and businesses will be able to come forward and offer their spare bedrooms through a hotline and website, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Following a vetting process, refugees will be paired with the offers of free accommodation and will then be entitled to work, able to claim benefits and access public services
Boris Johnson has said: “On Monday, you’ll get from the Levelling Up Secretary, the programme that will allow people to come in, so (if) people want to welcome (refugees) into their own homes, they can do so.”
