Liverpool 'ready with open arms' to welcome Ukrainian refugees

With Ukraine facing an enormous refugee crisis, we're hearing Liverpool stands 'with open arms' to welcome anyone fleeing the Russian invasion.

It's after the Government announced an additional 100,000 Ukrainians will be able to seek refuge in the UK, with family members of British nationals who don't usually meet eligibility criteria allowed to stay for a year after passing security checks.

It's understood more than half a million have so far fled the country since fighting began.

Becky Da Mota works for Bridge2, who help refugees and asylum seekers settle in Liverpool, she says if it comes to it then the city is ready:

"We have so many organisations who are ready and willing and our arms are always open and we're always ready to welcome those that are in need and that's something Liverpool is always ready to do. We have great communities ready to embrace people".

Ministers agreed to let those with family in the UK come here after coming under pressure to drop visa rules for those desperately seeking sanctuary.

But Home Secretary Priti Patel has rejected that idea, but announced plans for an additional 100,000 refugees can come to the UK.

Becky thinks that's not enough :

"As an organisation that is dedicated to welcome and support those people who have gone through war or persecution or crisis it seems inhumane that this is the stance of the UK when it seems so far away from our own hearts to help these people".

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