Britons opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion will receive a “thank you” payment of £350 per month, the government has announced.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme, to be rolled out this week, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety, even if they have no ties to the UK.
People sponsoring refugees through the new uncapped route will be required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months – but will encouraged to keep up the offer for as long as they can.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said “tens of thousands” of refugees could come through the route, as he revealed on Sunday that local authorities would receive £10,000 for each Ukrainian refugee sponsored in their area.
But charities and opposition parties expressed concern about the “slow and cumbersome” offer – and compared the reliance on social media to match sponsors and refugees to “online dating”.
The Refugee Council said the government was putting too many “bureaucratic hurdles” in the way – and said the scene “will inevitably be restricted to those who are known to people in the UK”.
Mr Gove said charities would help in the “matching process” – but said individuals and community groups would also use social media to connect with refugees.
He told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “We know charities, and we are working with them, who are working to identify people on the ground, and helping to identify people here to create the matching process.”
A website gathering expressions of interest is set to launch on Monday, and Mr Gove said he expected to see the first arrivals within a week.
Sponsored refugees will be granted 36 months leave to remain in the UK, with entitlement to benefits and public services. Those offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “By establishing a visa route and naming scheme, it will inevitably be restricted to those who are known to people in the UK”, adding that it would be a “lengthy” application process.
Labour also cautioned that “too many questions remain unanswered” about the new scheme.
Shadow levelling up minister Lisa Nandy told LBC: “There’s no help … to make people match their sponsor. We’re asking people to ask to take to social media at a time they’re fleeing a war zone. This is a serious crisis – it’s not an online dating situation.”
Questioning the lack of detail in the sponsorship plan, Sir Keir Starmer told Sky News: “What would comfort me more frankly is if I heard from Michael Gove that there were plans in place for the support that’s actually going to be needed on arrival.”
Asked if he was looking at taking in a Ukrainian refugee, Mr Gove said: “Yes,” and that he was “exploring what I can do ... Without going into my personal circumstances, there are a couple of things I need to sort out – but yes”.
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford have said both Scotland and Wales are willing to become “super sponsors” for Ukrainian refugees.
In a letter to Mr Gove, they also renewed their calls on Westminster to waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals trying to get into the UK.
First minister and SNP Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday that Scotland “stands ready” to take 3,000 Ukrainian refugees immediately.
Ms Sturgeon also said she was worried the UK sponsorship scheme will be “slow and cumbersome”, will lack proper support and safeguarding, and may not be sustainable for the length of time that people may need to stay in the UK.
Mr Gove said additional payments would be made to local authorities for each Ukrainian child who comes to the UK under the sponsorship route to help with their schooling.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi announced on Saturday that online lessons will be made available to refugee pupils as they transition to “life and safety” in the UK.
Labour’s shadow levelling-up secretary Lisa Nandy said said it was still “unclear what support will be offered to vulnerable children and older people” and “whether provision is made for unaccompanied children”.
Ms Nandy also said that if Britons were required to have a prior connection to a Ukrainian family to sponsor them, that would be a “severe limitation”.
The Independent has launched a petition calling for the UK to lead the international community in helping those who have been displaced by the conflict.
We are calling for the following two actions:
- Aid to be given to the countries that neighbour Ukraine, so that they have enough supplies of food, clothing and shelter needed to care for people who have been forced to abandon their homes.
- The government must also do more to make the UK a haven for refugees, and ensure we take in Ukrainians who want to find safety here.
If you, too, would like to help a nation in need then we urge you to add your signature and declare: Refugees Welcome.
We thank you for your support.
The Independent is also raising money for the people of Ukraine – if you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.
The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here.
