JUST 10 per cent of applicants to the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been granted, official figures revealed today, triggering fury at the government’s “shameful” progress on helping refugees. 

Out of the 28,300 people who have applied for the sponsorship scheme, which allows Ukrainians without ties in Britain to enter the country, only 2,700 have been issued visas as of March 29, Home Office figures show. 

Some 22,800 family visas have also been granted. 

The new figures sparked fresh anger at the government’s approach to the Ukraine refugee crisis, with Labour accusing the Tories of preventing Ukrainian refugees reaching safety.

Freedom from Torture chief executive Sonya Sceats said the figures were “woeful.” 

“In a month where people across the country signed up to welcome more refugees than the government has in 10 years, these woeful numbers prove why visa-based schemes are an unsuitable gateway for refugees fleeing Ukraine to reach safety here in the UK,” she said.

Branding the numbers “scandalous,” shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy MP said: “These figures show that the government [is] wasting the amazing generosity that British people have shown.”

“It needs to cut out unnecessary bureaucracy and speed up the processing of visas,” she added. 

Ms Nandy also called on the government to take charge of matching sponsors and refugees under the scheme rather than the current “DIY” approach, which sees Ukrainians matched with British hosts through social media accounts.

“This is a serious humanitarian crisis, not online dating,” she said. 

The government has faced growing criticism over its handling of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, rolled out by Communities Secretary Michael Gove on March 14.

Last week, 15 refugee rights and anti-trafficking groups raised concerns that a lack of regulation of the scheme could leave vulnerable refugees at risk of exploitation by traffickers and unscrupulous landlords. 

Applicants have also expressed frustration at the slowness of the sponsorship system, as well as its design and the level of documentation required to apply, according to reports. 

Refugees Minister Lord Harrington admitted to the levelling up select committee today that it takes “too long” to fill out the visa application form. 

He claimed the government was working on ways to speed up the process. 

Also giving evidence to the committee, the Local Government Authority raised concerns about a lack of data being provided to councils for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

Its chair, Cllr James Jamieson said: “If we knew where the sponsors were, we would have the opportunity to check the properties out before the families arrive and would meet the people offering accommodation. 

“At the moment my understanding is the checks are being done after the visa has been issued.

“There may be a situation where someone arrives and three days later it is decided it is not suitable accommodation.”

The LGA also revealed that Ukrainian refugees with visas have been presenting as homeless to councils across Britain. 

So far, 57 councils said they have been approached by people presenting as homeless who arrived via the sponsorship and family visa route, the representative body said.  

Earlier today, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and Ms Nandy said in a letter to Mr Gove that the government’s “shameful scale of bureaucracy” was “preventing desperately vulnerable people from reaching sanctuary in the UK.”

They called for the process to be expedited.