Sunak announces £150 million to help Ukraine refugees into new UK homes

Gary Lineker talks about his experience of hosting refugees

The UK Government has announced a £150 million fund to support Ukrainians in obtaining their own homes and to sustain existing sponsorship arrangements. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year, more than 124,000 individuals have relocated to the UK through the Homes for Ukraine programme.

The funding will contribute to the continuation of sponsorship arrangements, benefiting those who are in their second year of residency in the UK.

The distribution of the funds is based on the number of Ukrainians in each nation: England will receive approximately £109 million, Scotland £30 million, Wales £8 million, and Northern Ireland £2 million.

Hosts accommodating Ukrainians will continue to receive a monthly gratitude payment of £350 during the initial 12 months, which will increase to £500 per month in the subsequent year.

In March, the Red Cross expressed concerns about the unsuitable living conditions experienced by many Ukrainians.

UK housing minister Felicity Buchan said: “The UK has an honourable tradition of offering shelter to those fleeing the horrors of war.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of hosts in this country, over 124,000 Ukrainians have now found safety in the UK.

“Sadly, the fighting in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon, so we are appealing for more people to become hosts while providing councils with this additional funding to support guests into long-term housing.”

In Scotland, more than 24,000 displaced Ukrainians have arrived either through individual sponsorship or the Scottish Government’s super-sponsor scheme.

Many individuals are still residing in temporary housing as they await a permanent home.

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Scotland Office minister John Lamont said: “The UK has a long, proud history of helping those fleeing danger or persecution and we will continue to help the Ukrainians whose lives were thrown into turmoil when Russia illegally invaded their country.

“Today’s announcement of a further £30 million for Scotland to help rehome people from Ukraine brings a welcome boost to the great effort already made.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped support Ukraine for more than a year now, including all those who have helped Ukrainian refugees make new lives in Scotland.”

Petro Rewko, of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said his organisation welcomes the funding commitment during “difficult economic times”.

He added: “Ukrainians everywhere are grateful to the Government and the British people for opening their homes and hearts to Ukrainians fleeing their homes as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

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