Matt Hancock, former health secretary, said that he was humbled to have welcomed seven Ukrainian families into his Suffolk home during Easter. He is now enjoying learning about the country’s cuisine.
The Conservative MP said that it is a ‘wonderful’ experience hosting the three generation family, along with their four dogs — and has been supported by the ‘helpful’ community.
MailOnline revealed that the 43 year-old had opened his Constituency Home to them Friday, April 15th.
After welcoming seven Ukrainian family members to his Suffolk home, Hancock expressed gratitude.
‘I’ve enjoyed getting to know Ukrainian food and picking up the basics of the language,’ he wrote in The Spectator.
‘It’s humbling living with three generations from one family who have escaped war with little more than the clothes on their backs. It gives you perspective.
‘They video-call family and friends left behind who live under the threat of bombardment, and it’s striking just how close to home this conflict is.
“The teenagers who stay with me are able to learn remotely at the college in Kyiv, while they watch as the shells drop.”
According to Mr Hancock, since their arrival, they have been supported by the Suffolk community with transport, employment, and school placements.
He stated that within days they had bicycles and places in schools, colleges, and Volvos from local car dealers. The Bedford Lodge Hotel team offered training and jobs.
Hancock stated that teenagers who are staying with him receive instruction remotely via their college in Kyiv, while shells drop. Pictured, a family arrive at Zaporizhzhia, in Ukraine on May 2
“They say it takes village to raise children. It takes a town to welcome refugees — and towns like Newmarket are stepping up to the plate.’
He welcomed a family that is related to Mr Hancock.
He will be hosting his mother, two sisters, and their nephew, niece, and nephew’s partner, as well as their grandmother.
Last month, Suffolk’s MP chose not to publicize their arrival at his constituency home. This was unlike party members who did the same.
Speaking at the time, a source told MailOnline: ‘Matt has not talked about this because he doesn’t want to be accused of just doing it for publicity — he’s not.
“He just wants to help a family in need, and that’s the only way he knows how.
After welcoming a family of three generations and their dog to his home in Hertfordshire, Grant Shapps (the Transport Secretary) became the second member of parliament to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Pictured are Grant Shapps and his wife Belinda, with their three children
This low-key appearance – not mentioned by Hancock nor on any of his social-media feeds – is something of an insult to his critics.
He told local radio stations that he participated in Homes for Ukraine and then appeared on GMB. Some thought he was a stunt in media.
Richard Madeley (sometimes-presenter) suggested, “The reason you are doing this is because you want to help rebuild you reputation after having a bad fall in politics.”
Hancock denied the claim and maintained that the story was true.
It was the other way round, he said.
Last month, Conservative MP Grant Shapps took in a ‘three-generation’ family, as well as their dog named Max, to live with him in his Hertfordshire home.
The 53-year old politician had previously stated that he would take in a 6-year-old boy, his grandmother and his mother of 75 years.
While the children are at university, his family is using one of their bedrooms.
Twitter user Mr Shapps stated that while their country was going through turmoil from Putin’s war, his country stood united with Ukraine’s people.
Former Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick was the first MP to welcome a Ukrainian family into his constituency home under the Government’s refugee visa scheme.
Newark’s MP, Mariia, 40, and her two daughters Khystyna, 11 and Bohdan 15, were taken by Stansted airport to Newark.
The former housing secretary, 40, said that he found it ‘emotional’ and ‘humbling’ when he finally met the refugees after applying to host them three weeks prior.
Former Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick was the first MP to welcome a Ukrainian family into his constituency home under the Government’s refugee visa scheme
‘They are children of not dissimilar ages to ours, and a mother who’s left her husband back home and made this extraordinary decision… to leave home and come to another country in order to protect her children.
‘It was quite emotional. I have to say they’ve been absolutely lovely to us and we’ve enjoyed it so far,’ he said.
Conservative MP Marina Berkner is a ten year old, Sophia eighteen, Lila six years, and Sophia eighteen.
Since its launch, the Home Office Scheme has been under attack. Critics are frustrated by the’red tape’ that slows down asylum seekers entering the UK.
The family scheme and the sponsorship scheme have seen a combined total of 117,600 applications since their launch.
These were 86.100 as at April 27.
Boris Johnson’s Government declared in March that anyone can host an individual or family in England under the scheme, provided they agree to criminal-records and housing checks.
Local support networks and people set up many Facebook groups in response. These have been a major way to connect with British sponsors and families from Ukraine.