Housing secretary Michael Gove has unveiled the government’s “Homes for Ukraine” sponsorship scheme, amid heavy criticism of the UK’s visa policy.
With the latest government figures showing Britain has issued just 4,000 visas to Ukrainian refugees, Mr Gove said the scheme will offer those who provide a home for refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war a monthly payment of £350.
It came as Boris Johnson planned to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the hope Saudi Arabia can raise its production of oil and gas to make up for a reduced reliance on Russia.
Downing Street has said the government will be “raising” Saudi Arabia’s execution of 81 men in a single day with the regime in Riyadh, with Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson insisting the government does not “shy away” from raising human rights issues with its allies.
Over the weekend, the country’s state-run Saudi Press Agency announced that 81 men were executed over a variety of crimes – Saudi Arabia’s largest mass execution in recent history.
