• THERE has been a remarkable outpouring of support from Camden for the people of Ukraine.

A friend of mine has taken in a family and they seem to be settling in well. Other initiatives have been really imaginative.

A neighbour alerted me to a lawyer who had decided to appeal for medical equipment.

I, like many others, did my bit and now a van full of supplies is in Poland, donating them to where they are needed most.

By comparison the government’s response has been shameful. Over 200,000 people have expressed interest in hosting Ukrainian refugees.

Around 12,000 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes by last week. Of these some 10,800 came under the Ukraine family scheme but only 1,200 had made it to the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.

This is a scandal when Poland is grappling with roughly 2.5million Ukrainians. Government red tape has gummed up the works, with pathetic excuses about “security” offered by our heartless home secretary Priti Patel.

Camden Council is doing all it can for the Ukrainians: just as it did with the Afghan refugees before them. And just was done to help refugees all the way back to the First World War.

Then a quarter-of-a-million Belgians came to Britain when their country was invaded by Germany. Many found homes in Camden, helping build the church in Arlington Road.

By April 6 the council had been advised of 191 sponsors that have been matched with a Ukrainian refugee and submitted a visa request. Only 102 applicants have so far had a visa awarded.

Camden established a welcome centre in St Pancras on March 19. It’s where many will first arrive in Britain.

This provides emergency help the refugees might need if they are unable to immediately reach their family contacts. It operates every day of the week, from 8am to 11.30pm.

The council has also been meeting faith partners and the voluntary sector to make sure the reception they receive is as warm as possible and that they can start rebuilding their lives.

Refugees get a welcome pack developed for families and individuals settling in Camden. This includes information about all relevant services and a range of practical advice such as how to open a bank account. The pack is available on the council website and printed; as well as translated into Ukrainian and Russian.

This is just what we would expect, a real Camden welcome. By comparison the government’s response had been grudging and frosty. It is providing £10,500 per Ukrainian refugee, but only for those coming under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. What about the rest?

Camden already has a terrible problem with homelessness. The Ukraine crisis must not be allowed to exacerbate it.

MARTIN PLAUT, NW5