NICOLA Sturgeon has condemned the UK Government for “not doing anywhere near enough” for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

The First Minister’s remarks come as pressure mounts on the UK Government to amend its policy towards Ukrainian refugees, with the United Nations recently reporting that 1.5 million people have now been displaced by the Russian invasion.

Speaking to LBC, Sturgeon said: “I think the system that is in place of having people fleeing the terror in Ukraine spending hours and hours and hours on arduous journeys then having to jump through bureaucratic hoops is unconscionable.”

The First Minister went on to draw comparisons between Ireland - which this week promised to welcome more than 80,000 refugees – and the UK, where the Home Office has revealed that only “around 50” visas have been granted to the 13,500 people who have applied for the UK’s Ukraine Family Scheme.

Sturgeon continued: “We only have to compare the 50 or so visas that have been granted for entry to the UK so far with more than 1,000 Ukrainians who have already managed to enter the Republic of Ireland, a country much, much smaller than the UK.

“And what Ireland is doing is what the UK should be doing – it is allowing people in and then doing the paperwork once they have managed to get that refuge and sanctuary here.

“I think if the UK Government does not significantly change its approach here then increasingly there are going to be people looking at the UK and concluding that on a humanitarian level it is not doing nearly enough to help those fleeing horror and terror in Ukraine.

“We already have 1.5 million people who have been displaced, that number is only going to grow in the days and weeks ahead.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One, Sturgeon elaborated: “I think we should be maximising what we can do – I don’t think we should be putting arbitrary limits on this. Obviously, all countries will have a physical capacity of what they can do.

"I’ve got the Scottish Government working with our local authority colleagues right now, making as many preparations as we can – because I recognise if I’m calling for the UK Government to step up and do more, I need to make sure Scotland is playing its part.”

Asked if she favoured taking “anybody who wants to come, and then do the checks”, Sturgeon replied: “That is what Europe is doing right now, it’s what the Republic of Ireland is doing right now… We need to open our hearts, open our doors and face up to this. It’s not going to go away.”

The SNP have called for a “complete overhaul” of Home Office policies on Ukrainian refugees, with the party’s Shadow Home Secretary Stuart McDonald advocating the scrapping of the Nationality and Borders Bill.

McDonald commented: “Each and every day, we hear strong rhetoric from the UK Government about how they will support those fleeing the war – but that rhetoric is not being matched with appropriate action.

“In contrast, our European neighbours are stepping up to the challenge and have welcomed over 1.5 million refugees, including our counterparts in Ireland who are matching their words with action – welcoming over 1300 Ukrainians so far with 80,000 more likely to follow. 

“That is why I am urging the Home Secretary to undertake a complete overhaul of Home Office policies towards Ukrainians. She must now follow the example of our European neighbours and scrap visa requirements for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, as well as scrapping the cruel ‘anti-refugee’ Nationality and Borders Bill which would criminalise those who seek refugee protection here, outside regular routes. 

“Countries all over Europe are playing their part in supporting the Ukrainian people in their time of need – the UK must follow suit.”

Scottish Greens spokesperson for human rights Maggie Chapman also commented: “Ireland has shown how a small independent country can make a significant contribution to a refugee crisis. It is utterly embarrassing that the UK’s institutionally racist Home Office lacks this humility, humanity and solidarity. Our borders must not be a barrier to those seeking refuge.”

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out an EU-style policy on Ukranian refugees.

Speaking at a pooled TV interview, Johnson said: “If you look at the the situation in the EU, they have a border-free zone, in Schengen. They can’t actually impose controls, even if they wanted to.

“We have a different system. And I think it’s sensible, given what’s going on in Ukraine, to make sure that we have some basic ability to check who’s coming in and who isn’t.”