Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to public transport in rural Hertfordshire.

Ukrainian nationals coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme, or extending their stay in the UK using the Ukraine Extension Scheme, are given access to work, benefits and public services as laid down in Appendix Ukraine to the Immigration Rules, details of which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-ukraine-scheme

They can access Universal Credit and job support immediately.

Ukrainians here under our schemes will also be eligible for Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Child Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance, and Attendance Allowance. Contributions-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) are also available for those Ukrainians who meet the criteria.

We recognise the importance of having reliable public transport for all members of the community. That is why the former Transport Secretary announced on 3rd September that the Government will provide up to £60 million from January to March next year (2023), to help bus operators in England to cap single adult fares at £2 per journey. Buses across England will also benefit from up to £130 million of Government support from October 2022 to March 2023, ensuring services keep running and millions of passengers can continue using affordable transport.