Scotland needs to be ready to take refugees from Ukraine, a Glasgow MSP has said.

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow Labour MSP, said particularly children and disabled people are in grave need of protection.

She called on the Scottish Government to be prepared to accommodate people “fleeing their homes as a result of Russian aggression”.

The Scottish Government said that talks were taking place with councils about what  may be needed, but that ultimately decisions on asylum and refuges  will be taken by the UK Government.

Glasgow Times:

Duncan Glancy said: “There are 2.7 million disabled people in Ukraine and they face a disproportionate risk of abandonment, death and a lack of access to safety, relief and recovery support.”

She added: “It is vital that the 7.5 million children in Ukraine are also factored into the preparedness, which means ensuring that all four nations are ready to provide much-needed safety and hope.

Children in conflict zones have made clear over the past eight years how important it is for them to continue their education.”

Angus Robertson, External affairs minister said

He said: “We have already been providing material that has been requested by the Ukrainian Government and we will continue to do so. I will look at what has been requested by the Ukrainian authorities, to satisfy myself that what is being asked for and provided will be of assistance to people with disability in Ukraine.”

However, he said that the UK promised so far were not good enough.

He added: “people from Ukraine have to get here first. In preparation for that, we have to follow all the steps that are requested, including in this topical question session. At present, though—shamefully, in my view and that of the Scottish Government—the United Kingdom is not offering a visa waiver for people from Ukraine seeking sanctuary. It is possible for countries right across the European Union, including for our neighbours in the Irish Republic, to do so.

The UK is saying that it is prepared to allow people to come here to work if they have family members already resident in the United Kingdom. Apparently, humanitarian pathways are set to be opened if someone is sponsored in the UK. That is not good enough. People need sanctuary and we should be taking them in. We should be making the necessary preparations, as highlighted by Pam Duncan-Glancy. We need to get everything in place for when people arrive. I really hope that the UK Government reconsiders its approach, which, to my mind—and, I am sure, for the majority of people across the chamber—is frankly not good enough.”