The Government has announced full details of its plans for people in the UK to house Ukrainian refugees. Homes for Ukraine was launched by Communities Secretary Michael Gove this afternoon.
He said no limit would be placed on the number of Ukrainians who can be offered a home in Britain. Mr Gove told MPs Ukrainians would be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years under the scheme, with "full and unrestricted access to benefits, healthcare, employment and other support".
Those offering a place to stay will receive a tax-free monthly payment of £350 which will not affect benefit entitlements or council tax status. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Gove said the number of Ukrainians now arriving in the UK is "rapidly increasing", and the numbers will "grow even faster from tomorrow", adding that the "unfailingly compassionate British public wants to help further".
He said: "Today we are answering that call with the announcement of a new sponsorship scheme, Homes For Ukraine. The scheme will allow Ukrainians with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by individuals or organisations who can offer them a home. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can benefit from this scheme.
"The scheme will be open to all Ukrainian nationals and residents. They will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to three years. They will have full and unrestricted access to benefits, health care, employment and other support."
UK sponsors can be "of any nationality with any immigration status, provided they have at least six months leave to remain within the UK" and will need to provide accommodation for a "minimum of six months".
The Government wants to "minimise bureaucracy and make the process as straightforward as possible, while also doing everything we can to ensure the safety of all involved", he added as he set out how sponsors will need to submit to "vetting" while Ukrainians will also be subject to security checks.
Initially the scheme will "facilitate sponsorship between people with known connections" so it can be "up and running as soon as possible", Mr Gove said, but added that it will "rapidly" expand by working with charities, faith and community groups.
Mr Gove said the UK has a "long and proud history" of supporting the most vulnerable "in their darkest hours", adding: "The British people have already opened their hearts in so many ways, I'm hopeful that many will also be ready to open their homes and to help those fleeing persecution find peace, healing and the prospect of a brighter future."
Shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy said Labour was relieved to hear Mr Gove would announce the sponsorship scheme after weeks of delay, adding: "A press release is not a plan and we are really deeply concerned about the lack of urgency."
Ms Nandy insisted the visa application process could be simplified, telling Mr Gove: "We could keep essential checks but drop the excessive bureaucracy."
Although Mr Gove told the Commons the scheme would be open to "all Ukrainian nationals and residents", the website does not mention residents who are not Ukrainian nationals. It says someone is eligible if they are a "Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, and were resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022."
The web page appeared to be experiencing difficulties minutes after launching, with people trying to register their interest as individuals and organisations being timed out.
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