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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Levi Winchester

Households to get £1,000 council tax discount for taking in Ukraine refugees

Brits who open up their second home to Ukraine refugees will get 50% off their council tax bill, worth up to £1,000.

Those that claim a single occupancy discount, worth 25% off your council tax bill, will also be protected from losing this reduction.

It comes as part of Government plans to encourage households to welcome Ukrainian families into their home.

Ministers have already confirmed a £350 “thank you” cash payment for hosts who take part in the “Homes for Ukraine ” sponsor scheme.

The £350 payment also doesn't affect your council tax bill.

Refugees Minister Lord Harrington today outlined the legal changes to protect single occupancy households.

It has been five weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

He said: "The generosity of the general public has been astounding and I want to thank them sincerely for their ongoing support and for opening up their homes to those who need it the most.

"These regulations will help ensure that sponsors are rightfully not financially penalised by opening their homes, and will provide clarity to local councils as they help us deliver this landmark scheme."

Have you signed up for the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

Refugees from Ukraine in a railway station in Przemysl, eastern Poland (AFP via Getty Images)

"Homes for Ukraine" launched on March 14 with the aim of providing protection and somewhere to live for refugees fleeing the Russia war.

Councils are also getting £10,500 to help pay for education, English language learning, safeguarding and social care.

It comes as figures reveal just 1,200 refugees have arrived via the “Homes for Ukraine” route, while 10,800 Ukrainians have moved over to the UK to live with relatives through a family scheme.

This is despite the government receiving 79,800 visa applications, and having so far issued 40,900 visas. It has been five weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The UK requires refugees to have a visa before they enter, unlike other European countries which have waived the checks to speed things up.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has apologised over the time taken to get a new visa system for Ukrainian refugees up and running - as Labour called the numbers "scandalous and shameful".

Ms Patel told the BBC : "I apologise with frustration myself… it takes time to start up a new route."

But the Home Secretary denied that visa requirements and checks are slowing the process and causing delays.

Labour's shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, called on Ms Patel to "account for this national disgrace".

A government spokeswoman said: "In response to Putin's barbaric invasion we have launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history.

"In just four weeks, over 40,000 visas have been issued so people can rebuild their lives in the UK."

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