It was a privilege to join the community in Stonehouse today in welcoming two Ukrainian refugees to the south west.

Plymouth has a big heart and I hope in the coming weeks many, many more refugees fleeing Putin’s criminal invasion of Ukraine will find safety in our city.

The community in Stonehouse, like many across our city, has rallied together to sign up for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. My boyfriend and I have signed up too. While our friends across Europe have welcomed hundred of thousands of people fleeing Putin’s war Britain has a shamefully low number. This is because there is still too much red tape, delay and form filling imposed by our Government. That must change. We need the generosity and kindness of the British people to be matched by measures from the Government.

Let’s get those fleeing war to safety, speed up the process and welcome more people from Ukraine to our great city. Today, we made a start, and I thank everyone who is standing with Ukraine.