to be concerned about Ukranian refugees entering the country in large numbers?

[MaMaLa321]

I think that we have done the right thing, as a country, to allow Ukranian refugees to enter the UK. But does anyone else have concerns about how this will pan out?
For a start, we've spent 2 years in Lockdown, but the vaccination rate for Ukranians (for double vaccination) is only 34%.
What's the effect on our Social Services going to be?
FWIW, we have applied to house a refugee. It's just that I'm worried about the knock-on effects.
Also, will many Ukranians want to come here?

Don't think there will be an influx to the UK. A lot of people will want to stay nearer to Ukraine and as a lot of the EU countries are offering friendlier policies people are more likely to stay there than try getting into the UK.
I'm in a central European country and the government is issuing all Ukrainians with a one-year residency permit, with extension to two years if necessary which allows immediate access to work and a social security number for healthcare with immediate access (it's a contribution based system so normally you would have to be earning to be covered meaning that without this concession Ukrainians would not be able to receive treatment without having worked for a certain length of time).

We have a lot of people kicking up a fuss here about the Ukrainians not being vaccinated, strangely the same sort of people who were reluctant to get vaccinated themselves or stick to any of the COVID restrictions. And the same sort of people who made a fuss about male refugees from Syria. Now that women and children from Ukraine are arriving they are complaining about the lack of vaccination.

The bloody Covid vaccine is the least of our worries quite frankly. The Ukrainians can choose to get vaccinated once they are here if they wish.

I think the vast majority of the refugees will want to return home once it's safe;most of the refugees will be women and children with husbands/fathers/brothers,sons etc left behind to fight.

Hopefully the whole thing will be over pretty quickly;thé Russian army doesn't appear to be holding up well and Putin has underestimated his economy/the cost of war.

I think there's a misunderstanding surrounding refugees with people confusing them with economic migrants;coming to England doesn't mean their looking for a better life their merely looking to be safe.

@MaMaLa321

so, anyone who raises a concern is immediately a racist? Good old AIBU at it's best.

No one called you a racist. Is that what you wanted to happen?

I can think of a lot of ways to describe you. But you really aren’t worth it.

The whole point of the scheme is to widely disperse people into homes that are under utilised. Easing pressure into the small number of local authorities who agree to take refugees.

Planners assume a three bed house has a family in it and design services accordingly. Single occupancy of property is more of a problem for planners.

I am more concerned that this government scheme is going to be run by someone completely unsuitable and who will cream money off the top somehow, and refugees are going to be placed in completely unsuitable homes, when there are charities out there who do the same thing, which could place people better

It will have a knock on effect on schools and heathcare, maybe mental health services too. It is hard to move to another country, when your future is uncertain, live with strangers and take care of your children. If it is mainly women and children then finding part time or term time work is not easy so they will need some sort of benefits to tide them over. Those that have skilled jobs may long term be able to go back to their professions but it's not as easy as people are making out to just go from being a Doctor in Ukraine to practicing in the UK. Also worthwhile remembering that they've left their whole life behind, family members, support systems and many people will be experiencing anxiety, stress, ptsd.

I think it’s a great thing. This country has never functioned with migrants and never will. Companies are offering jobs to them to fill the 10s of thousands of vacancies that Brits are too lazy/proud to do. Who cleans your streets and offices? Who picks fruit? They aren’t here to sponge off the system, and will want to lead a dignified life by working, I imagine.

If it is mainly women and children then finding part time or term time work is not easy so they will need some sort of benefits to tide them over.
I despair. Are all British mothers working part-time or term-time only? Or are in receipt of benefits?

The U.K. is only taking in a thousand or so, I think you'll cope 🙄

As for the other countries who'll be picking up the slack, thankfully they seem to have greater understanding of the severity of the situation than Blighty.

@forinborin

If it is mainly women and children then finding part time or term time work is not easy so they will need some sort of benefits to tide them over. I despair. Are all British mothers working part-time or term-time only? Or are in receipt of benefits?

Despairing too

Why are they all part time workers?

Where should they all go then? We're taking a tiny fraction of the number that Poland has.

@Shitfuckcommaetc

I think the real problems will be the lack of school places for children who are coming over, all schools near us are already oversubscribed. If they need medical appointments... Same problem

Ditto acceptable, affordable housing. Plenty of people already here - natives as well as newcomers - are living in overcrowded, substandard - and often overpriced - accommodation.

I’m not saying this is a reason to deny people entry to the U.K., but it’s certainly a factor that’s presumably many people’s minds, especially if they themselves are in overcrowded/substandard/overpriced rentals.

@Milomonster

I think it’s a great thing. This country has never functioned with migrants and never will. Companies are offering jobs to them to fill the 10s of thousands of vacancies that Brits are too lazy/proud to do. Who cleans your streets and offices? Who picks fruit? They aren’t here to sponge off the system, and will want to lead a dignified life by working, I imagine.

You think it is a great thing that a Ukrainian teacher or a nurse will have to pick strawberries or clean loos?

How do you think Poland feels with approaching 2 million refugees? That is a huge strain on services, and housing.

We have a humanitarian duty to help. Those who are coming here are only those with a family link to this country, as they are the only people being issued visas currently. We should be doing more to help. The numbers we are taking are comparably very small in relation to other countries.

Perhaps we're flattering ourselves, thinking loads of Ukranians will want to come here.
Apart from those with family connection needing somewhere to stay short term, I can't imagine why others would choose to come here when they can go to other European countries.

I think they will be an asset. Ukrainians are good people, bloody hard workers as well. I do think some people come to the UK thinking it’s the land of benefits but they are very much in the minority. In the case of the Ukrainians they don’t even want to be here - they have no choice. I think they have more than proved what loyal, brave and resilient people they are.

@TeloMere

Perhaps we're flattering ourselves, thinking loads of Ukranians will want to come here. Apart from those with family connection needing somewhere to stay short term, I can't imagine why others would choose to come here when they can go to other European countries.

Why do you say this? I’m in London surrounded by people who choose to move here, I’m included in that

Although I do think proximity matters and we’re further away

If you have concerns, why have you agreed to house a family? Doesn’t make sense

Have you really honestly and truly applied to house displaced refugees?

ugh.