Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to ensure greater consistency in the support provided to Ukrainian refugees and their hosts across the two Visa Schemes; if he will extend the initial £200 interim payment to everyone arriving on the Ukraine Family Scheme in all UK nations; and if he will protect hosts on the Ukraine Family Scheme from increases in council tax bills as a result of hosting additional people.

As announced in December 2022, all Homes for Ukraine sponsors will receive an increased 'thank you' payment of £500 a month once guests have been in the country for over a year. Where sponsorships can no longer continue for the financial year 2023/24, all councils will receive help to house Ukrainians through a one-off pot of government funding worth £150 million. The guidance and breakdown of the £150 million funding by local authority can be accessed here.

This money can be used flexibly to support Ukrainians into the private rented sector, amongst other things. For instance it can be used to provide deposits or rent advances, or to offer guarantees.

Ukrainians arriving under both the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme have the same entitlement to work, pensions, health provision, education, and access to benefits. These are effective from as soon as a Ukrainian guest has a valid visa and arrives in the UK. Both schemes provide a right to remain for three years.