EDM 1527: Visas and access to education for Ukrainian refugee children

That this House expresses serious concern about the detrimental impact of short-term visas granted under the Ukraine Sponsorship and Ukraine Family Schemes on the education and wellbeing of Ukrainian refugee children in the UK; notes the case of a Year 9 student living in south Cambridgeshire, whose limited 18-month visa leaves her uncertain whether she will be permitted to remain in the UK to complete her secondary education and sit GCSE exams; further notes that this situation is widespread, with many families due to apply for extensions under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which also only provides a further 18 months of leave; highlights the stress and instability caused by this uncertainty, particularly for those seeking to access GCSEs, A-levels, university places and student finance, and for adults attempting to retrain or gain professional accreditation; draws attention to the Government’s statutory obligation under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and calls on the Government to urgently review the implications of short-term leave for displaced Ukrainian families and to provide guarantees that children will be able to remain in the UK to complete their education and sit public exams, clear guidance on eligibility for student finance and access to higher education and a more flexible and longer-term visa extension process that allows families to plan, integrate and contribute without fear of disruption.