That’s the end of this week’s PMQs – Watch the latest updates on the invasion of Ukraine from UK defence secretary Ben Wallace – Catch up on this week’s PMQs HERE: FOLLOW PMQs LIVE – UK POLITICS – FOLLOW HERE
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Ben Wallace addresses the house
The defence secretary is making a statement about Ukraine, he repeats claims from Ukraine about how much Russia has lost, but stresses the figures are from Ukraine and UK cannot verify them.
Wallace says the UK is considering supplying Ukraine with Starstreak high-velocity anti-air missiles. He says MoD thinks these would count as defensive weapons.
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PM says UK could face attacks from Russian agents if govt waives visa requirements.
Lib Dem’s Ed Davey recalls the UK’s long history of taking in refugees. But Ukrainians turned away because they don’t have the right paper work, he says military should be dispatched to help.
PM says he is wrong and it is important to have checks.
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Abena Oppong-Asare (Lab) says the UK cannot be a home to people who support Russia. Has the PM ever over-ruled security advice when appointing peers?
No, says Johnson.
He says the Kremlin has criticised the UK for taking the lead on global sanctions.
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John Penrose (Con) asks if the government will take away “golden visas” for Russian oligarchs who made their money illicitly.
Johnson says that will be possible
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Sponsorship scheme details in next few days
Julian Smith says people are concerned by the “tone” of the govt’s approach to refugees. He asks the govt to look at this again.
PM says govt has done a lot to resettle people and Michael Gove will give details of the sponsorship scheme for refugees “in the next few days.”
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Govt response to Ukraine refugees is shameful – SNP’s Blackford
Ian Blackford says 760 visa approvals in 2 weeks is shameful. He says the Home Office’s response has been one of the worst in Europe.
PM says almost 1000 people now have visas and expects the number to rise sharply – into the hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine.
Blackford says PM doesn’t understand the urgency. People are fleeing war crime and Priti Patel is blocking them with bureaucracy – will the govt wave visa restrictions for Ukrainians?
PM says UK govt response is unparalleled. The PM, deputy PM and home secretary are all descended from refugees. The UK is single biggest donor of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
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