Londoners are reading and watching on in horror at the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has already seen scores of civilians killed and hundreds of thousands leave their homes in pursuit of safety.
Today, we are launching the Evening Standard Ukraine Appeal to raise funds for those forced to flee the fighting across Ukraine and bring assistance to innocent civilians who need it now.
Londoners’ donations will go to charities working on the ground, which are supporting refugees crossing the border into neighbouring states as well as internally displaced people within Ukraine. People have left behind everything and need basic aid such as food, shelter and medical attention. We urge you to give generously if you can.
Meanwhile, the UK Government must do more to support those wishing to come to Britain. London is our capital but it also belongs to the world. The city has long acted as a safe haven that quickly becomes a home for those fleeing strife.
The Home Secretary said yesterday in the Commons that Ukrainians who do not meet standard eligibility criteria will be able to come to the UK for 12 months, but ruled out a visa waiver programme introduced by the EU. In the middle of a humanitarian crisis, this is simply wrong. The PM must take charge of the situation and allow Ukrainians fleeing a devastating war to seek refuge here if they wish.
This strike is arrogant
Tube strikes never seem to fall on a sunny day, but the reality is the latest industrial action by the RMT union should never have gone ahead.
As the capital makes strides to get back on its feet after two years of on-and-off lockdowns and Covid restrictions, to virtually bring the entire Underground network to a halt is an act of breathtaking arrogance.
From sending school classes back to Zoom to making life miserable for commuters crammed into buses on congested roads, this strike is the wrong action at the wrong time.
