Builder offering his home to Ukrainians urges Government to 'pull their fingers out' over visas

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A builder hoping to offer sanctuary in the UK to war-torn Ukrainians has urged the Government to 'pull their fingers out' and speed up the visa application process.

Andrew Gilbride and his wife Grazyna, both 57, hope to take in a family at their six-bedroom home in Altrincham, Trafford. Andrew said he signed up to the Government's Ukraine sponsorship scheme - Homes for Ukraine - as soon as it opened in late March.

He's currently a sponsor to 11 people, all of whom he said have now applied for visas to enter the UK. But 17 days on, Andrew said they have heard nothing apart from receiving confirmation emails acknowledging their applications.

And as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to be marked with innocent bloodshed, he said the delay was risking the lives of the very people his family are trying to save.