Britain to welcome Ukrainians 'without ties' to UK after only 50 refugees had visa applications approved

Refugees of the war in Ukraine without ties to Britain will be able to come to the UK, Priti Patel has announced in a dramatic U-turn.

The Home Secretary said the government was creating a 'humanitarian route' for the thousands of displaced Ukrainians.

Earlier on Sunday, it was revealed that only 50 Ukrainians had had their UK visa application approved - despite more than 5,000 application being submitted.

READ MORE: BBC presenter Clive Myrie issues message as he escapes war-torn Kyiv

Initially, the government had only allowed refugees to settle in the UK if they already had family in the country.

However, it appears that after a trip to the Polish border, Ms Patel is pushing ahead with plans to welcome more refugees on to British soil.

“In response to the desperation I saw with my own eyes at the Polish border two days ago, I’m urgently escalating our response to the growing humanitarian crisis," she told The Sun.

“I am now investigating the legal options to create a humanitarian route.

“This means anyone without ties to the UK fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will have a right to come to this nation.”

More than 1.3 million people have been displaced by the war, which began 11 days ago, with more than 1 million refugees making their way to Poland.

Amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, both Labour and Conservative MPs had called on the government to go further with its efforts in welcoming asylum seekers.

READ MORE: BBC's Martin Roberts sobs outside Costco after trying to buy goods for Ukrainian refugees

FOLLOW ALL THE LATEST UKRAINE WAR UPDATES HERE.

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