Pippa seeks answers from the government on the future of the Homes for Ukraine scheme

Dear Yvette [Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary],

Re: Visa Insecurity for Ukrainian Refugee Children and Their Access to Education

I am writing to raise serious concerns that have been brought to my attention regarding the visa status of Ukrainian children and families currently residing in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship and Family Schemes. These concerns centre around the detrimental impact of short-term visas on children’s education, mental wellbeing, and the ability of families to plan for their future in Britain.

I attach a letter from Phil Priestley, the Founder of Cambs Youth Panel and a children’s mental health practitioner, who recently met with Ukrainian children in my constituency. He shares troubling accounts of children such as Sofiia, a Year 9 student living in Sawston, who is currently living under an 18-month visa. The limited duration of her visa creates profound uncertainty over whether she will be permitted to remain in the UK long enough to complete her secondary education and sit her GCSE exams, something she has been working so hard towards taking.

This uncertainty is not limited to one child. I am currently supporting several constituents who are due to apply for extensions under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. However, the fact that this extension also only provides a further 18 months of leave means many families remain in limbo. This has significant implications for children applying to start GCSEs, A-levels, and particularly higher education courses, all of which extend beyond the current visa length.

In particular, constituents have expressed deep concern about how this affects applications for university places and funding. Many are unsure whether they will even be eligible to apply for student finance, given that their current visa expires before or during the course of study. I’m pleased to say that The Student Loans Company has been helpful in engaging with queries, but there remains a clear need for greater clarity from the Government on these matters.

Furthermore, these limitations are not only impeding access to education but are also preventing highly qualified Ukrainian adults—such as teaching assistants, academics, and medical professionals (such as dentists) —from undertaking professional conversion or accreditation programmes in the UK. The short duration of visas and the current rules around when extensions can be applied for (only within 28 days of expiry) mean that investing time and resources in training appears futile to them.

As Mr Priestley rightly points out, this situation also risks breaching our statutory obligations under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including their mental and emotional health. The level of stress and uncertainty these children are experiencing is simply incompatible with this duty.

I appreciate that the Ukraine schemes were designed at pace to address an urgent humanitarian crisis. However, I believe there is now a pressing need to review the implications of short-term leave for children and families who are trying to build some stability in the UK after fleeing war. At minimum, there needs to be:
 

• Reassurance that children can remain in the UK to complete secondary education and sit their exams;
• Clarification of eligibility for student finance and access to further and higher education for Ukrainian students;
• Consideration of a longer or more flexible visa extension process that allows families to commit to education, employment, and integration without constant fear of disruption.
   

I would be grateful if your department could confirm what plans, if any, are in place to address these issues, and whether consideration is being given to extending the length or terms of leave granted under the Ukraine schemes.

I look forward to your response and would be happy to discuss further with your team.

Yours sincerely,

Pippa Heylings MP 

Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire

Dear Pippa,

Thank you for your letter of 16 June to the Home Secretary on behalf of your constituents regarding the future of Ukrainians in the UK, particularly those engaged in education, under the Ukraine Schemes. I am replying as the Minister or Migration & Citizenship.

The UK’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast and, together with our international partners, the UK continues to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and condemn the Russian government’s unprovoked and premeditated war. 

I am proud that the British people have shown incredible generosity to the Ukrainian people, opening their homes to those seeking sanctuary. Since the launch of the Ukraine Schemes, the UK has offered sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families through the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and the Ukraine Extension Scheme. 

The Government has already taken significant steps to further extend support. Since February 2025, individuals in the UK under one of the Ukraine visa schemes have been eligible to apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, for an additional 18 months of permission to stay in the UK, with continued access to work, benefits, healthcare, and education. Full details are available on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-stay-in-the-uk-under-the-ukraine-extension-scheme. 

The Government recognises the importance of providing clarity and reassurance to Ukrainians living in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes and is aware that many individuals and families are seeking certainty about their future once their leave under the UPE schemes expires. As such, the Government is actively considering the future of the Ukraine visa schemes and will provide further clarity as soon as it is in a position to do so.
 

Education 

Once a child is enrolled in a state-funded school in England, they may only be removed from the register for reasons specified in Regulation 9 of the Attendance and Registration Regulations 2024. A change in visa status is not grounds for removal. Schools receive funding based on pupil headcount, regardless of nationality or immigration status, and Ukrainian pupils should be entered for examinations on the same basis as their peers. 

Similarly, students already enrolled in a state school sixth form cannot be removed due to a change in visa status during their course.

Funding for courses at further education colleges will continue for students who were aged between 16 and 18 at the start of their course, provided they held a valid immigration status permitting study at that time. 

Those granted permission under the Ukraine schemes wishing to commence higher education at university are eligible to apply for home fee status and student support when they begin their course. If their permission expires mid-course, they may retain access to home fee status and student support where they can show they have been granted further permission to stay in the UK.

Universities are autonomous institutions, and they assess a student’s fee status in accordance with the Education (Fees and Awards) (England) Regulations 2007. It is up to individual providers to set out the evidence they require from students to demonstrate eligibility for home fee status. Further advice and guidance on individual providers’ evidential requirements should be obtained from the educational institution.

Employment and Skills Recognition

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working collaboratively across government to identify and remove barriers that may prevent Ukrainians from accessing employment aligned with their skills and qualifications. This includes close coordination with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which actively encourages employers and Refugee Employment Networks to promote job opportunities to Ukrainian nationals.

In addition, Jobcentre Plus teams provide practical support to those who need it, including assistance with CV writing and interview preparation.

For those with professional or vocational qualifications, the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC) offers services to recognise and evaluate international qualifications and skills. It also offers signposting to the relevant professional regulators, all of which is available as comprehensive guidance on GOV.UK.

Long-term status

The Government has been clear from the outset that these schemes are temporary and do not provide a direct route to settlement. They reflect a generous and meaningful commitment to support those displaced by the conflict, while also respecting the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for its citizens to return and contribute to the country’s future recovery.

Whilst the Home Office cannot offer individual immigration advice, there are alternative visa routes available for those who wish to settle permanently in the UK, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.

Please be assured that the Government continues to keep both the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under close and active review.

With best wishes,

Seema Malhotra MP
Minister for Migration & Citizenship