Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her resettlement policies of the level of financial support provided to the hosts of Ukrainian refugees.

Homes for Ukraine is a unique scheme that has been set up specifically to support those escaping the conflict in Ukraine who are not able to rely on family support. In recognition of the exceptional support provided by members of the public who have rapidly come forward to welcome people through this scheme, the Government is providing an optional ‘thank you payment’ of £350 per month for sponsors who are kindly sharing their homes.

The Government is also providing funding to local councils which includes resource to enable them to carry out sponsorship-specific functions such as safeguarding checks and property checks, administering payments, as well as providing support, such as English language training to help their integration into our communities.

Our Community Sponsorship Scheme enables members of the public to provide housing and integration support to refugees resettled to the UK through the UK Resettlement Scheme or the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme. The Community Sponsorship Scheme has had a positive impact on the lives of refugees resettled in the UK, and the communities that support them. This is only made possible by the dedication, hard work and compassion of community groups across the UK.

There are currently no plans to provide financial support to groups who support refugees through Community Sponsorship. However, the Government will continue to look for opportunities to improve the scheme and encourage more community groups to welcome refugees resettled to the UK.