Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason the (a) interim and (b) subsequent payments available under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme are not provided under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

The Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS) was launched in March 2022 as a bespoke response to the unprecedented events in Ukraine, and is intended as a light touch, temporary, alternative to the existing family routes under Appendix FM.

Applicants under Appendix FM are not normally given access to public funds, except in exceptional circumstances. Under the UFS full access to work and the benefits system (including access to homelessness assistance) are provided, giving beneficiaries the opportunity to seek an income to enable them to find their own accommodation in the future should they so wish.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme extended the support offered to allow Ukrainians to come to the UK who did not already have family ties here. Whilst it is normal to expect family networks to support family members the Home for Ukraine Scheme was specifically set up to provide support for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict who are not able to rely on family support.

Ukrainian nationals coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme are given identical access to work, benefits and public services for the duration of the leave granted.