ONLY a handful visas have been issued for Ukrainian refugees to stay with Clackmannanshire residents who are volunteering to house people fleeing the war.

According to the latest available statistics from the DLUHC and Home Office, seven visas have been issued for people to arrive to the Wee County under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine.

The scheme sees sponsors agreeing to offer accommodation for at least six months with those arriving allowed to live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.

The figures are separate from those who have received visas through the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows people to join family members in the country and for which local authority figures are not available.

Clacks MP John Nicolson has raised concerns over the low numbers, which come despite him having knowledge of many dozens of constituents who are keen and happy to give a warm Scottish welcome to people fleeing the "horrific violence".

The Ochil and South Perthshire representative told the Advertiser: "Our community has always opened its arms to welcome refugees fleeing war.

"Refugees from Syria are happily settled here and many run successful businesses.

"And now, following the horrific violence inflicted on Ukraine by Russia, many of my constituents have rushed to open their homes to those fleeing.

"The UK Government, however, is letting them down.

"I am very disappointed that only seven visas have so far been granted for those seeking sanctuary in Clackmannanshire.

"The home secretary must do better."

In nearby Stirling, 59 visas have been issued for Ukrainian refugees to arrive.

According to the figures as at the end of April 19, 1,610 visas which are sponsored by individuals have been issued across Scotland under the Homes for Ukraine scheme with a further 2,137 visas sponsored by the Scottish Government.

A UK government spokesperson told the Advertiser: "Thanks to the generosity of the public who have offered their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war and through our Ukraine Family Scheme, more than 71,800 visas have been granted with 21,600 Ukrainians arriving safely in the UK.

"We are processing thousands of visas a day – this shows the changes we made to streamline the service are working and we'll continue to build on this success so we can speed up the process even further."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has confirmed that displaced Ukrainian students settling in Scotland will be given access to free tuition and living cost support, subject to parliamentary approval.

Under the proposal, Ukrainians wishing to embark on a further or higher education course from academic year 2022-23 will be eligible for free tuition and living cost support, provided they have submitted an application to the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family or the Ukraine Extension schemes.