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?

some positive experiences of offering a home to a Syrian refugee from a guardian article today.

@HerArtMaterials

Our country and services having been degraded over the past 12 years are the problem, not the refugees.

12 years? Try 40 or 50, maybe more.

...aaand we're off! I always said 2 weeks of sympathetic noises were all we'd be able to muster as a nation.

Hope this reassures all those who were worried that the Ukrainian refugees were getting preferential treatment in the minds of the public.

God, I am so glad I am not the sort of person who looks at the images coming out of Ukraine and thinks "but what about poor me?"

@Porcupineintherough

...aaand we're off! I always said 2 weeks of sympathetic noises were all we'd be able to muster as a nation.

Hope this reassures all those who were worried that the Ukrainian refugees were getting preferential treatment in the minds of the public.

Who has been unsympathetic? Nobody, Not one poster.

OP, You aren’t the first to have voiced concerns over pressure on services, Poland have been inundated, and even volunteers have said they need greater help.
Its an unprecedented disaster.
Unlikely anyone fleeing will ever return to what was once their homeland.

Housing is in short supply here, so goodness knows where families will be housed.

Covid variants are the least of the worries.

I’m concerned that some of the areas of the uk with the largest Ukrainian populations currently, (so presumably where refugees will gravitate to under family connections rules) are areas with the poorest social care and housing resources. I really fear for Ukrainian women and children being exploited by slum landlords who are looking to line their pockets further.

@Cyw2018

We will gain people to work in the fields, factories and hospitality industry as well as presumably a number of highly skilled and experienced professionals across a range of industries, I'm sure, if we let them, they will settle in quickly and be an asset to the country and maybe some of the professionals (particualrly in healthcare) will be persuaded to stay permenently.

Lovely! So they can have the jobs we wont do and instead of hoping that they can return and rebuild their healthservices and indeed their country, you want them to stay here and help us out?

I hope they can get themselves back on their feet, maybe learn a new language, earn some money and God willing, be able to return to the country they love very much.

@oakleaffy do you know that so far the govt has welcomed in over 100,000 Chinese HK citizens this year alone!

2.8m are entitled to come here.

These people are NOT fleeing war and prior to a change in the law had no right to come here.

No concerns on public services have been raised.

Oh god they might bring in a mild illness with them. Whatever will we do

@chocolatesaltyballs22

Not sure why you've applied to host if that's your opinion to be honest.

You're not sure why the OP has applied to be a host if she is able, willing and eager to help but at the same time, recognising that thousands of people coming into the country and using already stretched services will create even further stretch on those services? I really do not understand this mindset that some folk have of either blindly for or against something. Why can't people objectively voice concern about an issue? The OP hasn't said 'no, do not let Ukrainians in, we are too full already' She has said that she is eager and willing and has actually put her name forward to open her home up to people, but at the same time, recognises that there will be knock on effects effects public sevices that need to be discussed. That's a hell of a lot more sensible than just ignoring issues and allowing them to fester until services are at breaking point.

No I'm not at all concerned. Poland have taken 1.5m

The extreme need of the refugees is more important

@Wilfulchaos

God, I am so glad I am not the sort of person who looks at the images coming out of Ukraine and thinks "but what about poor me?"

But she isn't simply saying what about me. She's recognising that there will obviously be a knock on effect on the demand on public services. You do know that's how (or supposed supposed be how) society and public services work - by recognising a potential or actually demand in said services, discussing how to best address it and then taking action? Nothing would ever be done if it wasn't discussed.

The OP has also signed up to host Ukrainian family, so I'm not sure where you're getting that all she cares about is herself?

“We will gain people to work in the fields, factories and hospitality industry as well as presumably a number of highly skilled and experienced professionals across a range of industries.”

Why would these people be anymore likely to “work in the fields” then the next person? These are women fleeing with their children and the elderly. Are you going to “work in the fields?” These people are refugees. They are NOT to be confused with the economic migrants from Eastern European countries that gained EU membership in 2004 - who CHOSE to come here to fill specific gaps in the U.K. labour market (which surprise surprise the U.K. is now struggling to fill). These refugee women are no less likely to be “highly skilled and professional people” than the next person. And if the average British person won’t “work in the fields” why the bloody hell would a Ukrainian?

Vaccination status is neither here nor there really, is it?

Most of those who can make it as far as the UK, will likely be the better off Ukrainians, I'd have thought. Unless they're being funded to travel by friends and family already over here. So they may not really be wanting to do manual labour (nor should we expect them to!).

I was watching the BBC this morning. One Ukrainian mother interviewed, bound for the UK with her young daughter (they have already been paired with a British family to house them), is very much a Middle Class professional with a surgeon DH.

FWIW, we have applied to house a refugee
Yes of course you have

@SafferUpNorth

What I'm worried about is the safety and wellbeing of traumatised, vulnerable women and children in British homes. Will those offering a spare room be vetted? What's stopping some sickos taking advantage of the scheme? Could become a modern slavery scenario.

I also wondered that .

What I'm worried about is the safety and wellbeing of traumatised, vulnerable women and children in British homes. Will those offering a spare room be vetted? What's stopping some sickos taking advantage of the scheme? Could become a modern slavery scenario

House hold members will have to have a CRB check... which takes many weeks....

@MarshaBradyo
What I mean is that if we as UK citizens had to flee the UK and seek refuge in Europe, I don't think we would be very welcome because of the horrible way we (as a collective) treat refugees. I know there are amazing exceptions to this but the country as a whole has a terrible reputation.

CRB checks mean nothing as they only catch those who’ve been caught! Not those with intent.

As for numbers - we have no qualms about letting oligarchs in who bring little to the country except marginally.

There are 66,000,000 people in the UK. A few more won’t make any difference and I strongly suspect they’ll want to go home as soon as they can!

Absolutely agree with this.
I keep seeing posts on other threads as well, saying Ukranians will want rural accommodation so they can find agricultural work angry.

Oh my word, that’s farcically bad.
Most fleeing appear to be from Cities, and probably have never picked a sprig of broccoli in their life, like most of us.
Why should they want to live in arse end of nowhere?

😮😮😮😮

There are many different aspects to consider but I'd say one main aspect would be from a security perspectives, as long as the security service's can monitor and are equipped to look after the security arrangements then that's one aspect took care of.

@oakleaffy

*Absolutely agree with this. I keep seeing posts on other threads as well, saying Ukranians will want rural accommodation so they can find agricultural work angry.*

Oh my word, that’s farcically bad.
Most fleeing appear to be from Cities, and probably have never picked a sprig of broccoli in their life, like most of us.
Why should they want to live in arse end of nowhere?

I expect the poster just heard Boris say it a couple of weeks ago on the news.

@Hawkins001

There are many different aspects to consider but I'd say one main aspect would be from a security perspectives, as long as the security service's can monitor and are equipped to look after the security arrangements then that's one aspect took care of.

Pls don't make me laugh!

If Putin wants to come in and attack or kill someone here, they can just walk in, do it and then fly back out again, using a European passport, on a 6 month tourist visa... as they ve several times in the past.

It was just an accuse by Johnson to avoid his responsibilities.