Facts

Health Secretary Sajid Javid claimed on the Today programme that Ukrainians living in the UK on a work visa are allowed to bring family members to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Asked by presenter Mishal Husain whether a Ukrainian living and working in the UK, for example in the health service, and on a visa would be able to bring their family members over, Mr Javid said: “[...] so in the situation that you just gave, a Ukrainian living and working here, you will be able to bring your family here to the UK under the Extended Family Scheme.”

According to Full Fact “the Home Office’s guidance on the subject says family members can only apply to join a UK-based relative if the relative is a British national, has some form of settled status in the UK, has pre-settled status from an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, or has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. People in the UK on work visas aren’t mentioned in the criteria.

“Mr Javid was challenged on this point by Ms Husain, who said government guidance “does imply that someone for example working in the NHS on a work visa in the UK wouldn't be able to bring their family members.”

The Home Office confirmed to Full Fact that the published criteria is the most accurate and up-to-date information available. It follows that Mr Javid was incorrect in the claim he made about family members of people in the UK on work visas.” 

Verdict

Sajid Javed was misleading Today Programme listeners, as presenter Mishal Hussain established when she challenged him.

We approached Sajid Javid’s parliamentary office and the Department of Health and Social Care to give him a chance to comment, but received no response.