Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukrainian Refugees

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Church of England is using vacant vicarages and recruiting new hosts to support Ukrainian refugees.
  • Churches are thanked for their work in supporting Ukrainian refugees, with specific mention of St Dunstan's and St Mary's.
  • Dioceses are developing schemes to rematch sponsors and Ukrainian refugees as initial placements end.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Ukraine Religion & Faith
Context

The MP inquired about the Church's efforts to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.

Question

What steps is the Church taking to help support Ukrainian refugees?

Answer from Andrew Selous

Six bishops and hundreds of clergy have Ukrainian evacuees living with them, and the Church of England is using vacant vicarages in a number of places. Churches are also actively involved in recruiting new hosts where needed.

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Ukraine Religion & Faith
Context

The MP highlighted local churches' support for Ukrainian refugees, including English lessons and a children's summer week.

Question

Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking all our churches for the work they are doing to support our Ukrainian friends? What more can the Church of England do to support churches such as St Dunstan's in their work?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the interest that he takes in and the support that he gives to his local churches. It is wonderful to hear of the practical compassion in action of St Dunstan's in Monks Risborough and St Mary's in Princes Risborough. I know that those churches are making a big difference to the lives of Ukrainian refugees. I assure him that the Church is actively seeking new hosts where some families want to pass on that responsibility and it will keep on with this important work.

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Q3 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Ukraine Religion & Faith
Context

The MP asked about actions to encourage church members and congregations to continue supporting Ukrainian refugees after the initial sponsorship period.

Question

As we approach the six-month point, what action can the Church take to encourage members of their congregations to step forward—and the congregations themselves to support them—where some initial sponsorships are not renewed?

Answer from Andrew Selous

My right hon. Friend asks a typically pertinent question. I reassure him that many dioceses are developing schemes to rematch sponsors and Ukrainian refugees as the initial six-month placements draw to an end. We are also funding other support programmes for Ukrainians, for which I am extremely grateful. We must all guard against compassion fatigue.

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Q4 Barry Sheerman Lab
Ukraine
Context

The MP reported on the challenges faced by local churches supporting Ukrainian refugees, such as housing and education needs.

Question

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that my parish church in Huddersfield is playing a very good role in helping Ukrainian refugees, but in a sense the honeymoon period is over? People from Ukraine in my constituency told me last week that they need help with permanent housing, with education and with the translation of their qualifications into English qualifications. They also very much need to use their high skills to help the community.

Answer from Andrew Selous

I am grateful for what the hon. Gentleman has told the House. I know that he takes a supportive interest in what his local churches do in this important area. He is right in everything he says. The Government will play their part, and I can assure him that the Church will absolutely continue to be there at a national and local level to do everything that is needed.

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Q5 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Ukraine
Context

The MP inquired about the possibility of allowing free use of parish halls for English lessons and community hubs for rural Ukrainians.

Question

Following on from what other hon. Members have said about the integration of Ukrainian refugees, has consideration been given to allowing the use of parish halls free of charge for English lessons and as community hubs for small pockets of rural Ukrainians to meet?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The hon. Gentleman makes typically sensible suggestions. He has put them on the record, and I know that the Church will do everything possible nationally and locally. He has made good suggestions.

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