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Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Potential Extension — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]
06 February 2024
Lead MP
Pauline Latham
Mid Derbyshire
Con
Responding Minister
Tom Pursglove
Tags
ImmigrationUkraineTaxationHousingLocal Government
Word Count: 13081
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Pauline Latham raised concerns about homes for ukraine scheme: potential extension — [mr virendra sharma in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should guarantee home fee status and access to student finance loans for Ukrainian students applying to universities in the UK until the completion of their courses. They should also extend 'thank you' payments for sponsors to prevent homelessness, provide support for local authorities dealing with homeless Ukrainians, and publish intentions for visa scheme extensions beyond March 2025.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The main concern is the provision of education for Ukrainian students in the UK. Masha, a student sitting her GCSEs and wanting to continue her studies beyond March 2025, faces uncertainty due to visa expiration. There are also concerns about homelessness as sponsorship expires, with 4,890 households at risk by August last year, representing 8% of those helped under the scheme. Additionally, local authorities need certainty regarding ongoing support for Ukrainians who may face homelessness or require additional services.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
I am concerned about the uncertainty faced by Ukrainians in the UK as their visas expire, particularly regarding housing and financial support. The speaker also highlighted issues such as the need for a deposit to secure accommodation and the challenges of finding independent living arrangements. Sobel praised the government's flexibility in allowing local authorities to use the local authority tariff but noted that this is inconsistent across regions. He also emphasized the importance of retaining host sponsors who wish to continue supporting Ukrainians, suggesting increased training and financial support for hosts.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
The SNP supports extending the Homes for Ukraine scheme due to uncertainty over Ukrainians' future status. Homelessness services in Glasgow are concerned about an influx of people without status when biometric residence permits expire. The speaker expressed concerns over errors with digital BRPs and asked how information will be sent out to those affected, including agencies that rely on physical BRPs. Scotland's super sponsor scheme was successful, bringing 20,000 people to safety. There is a need for support with accommodation and financial assistance due to cost pressures. The Ukraine longer-term resettlement fund has brought over 1,200 homes into use in Scotland. Deposits are an issue for those trying to move on from initial hosts, requiring further government support.
In south Wales and Cynon Valley, Ukrainians who arrived under the sponsorship scheme are deeply involved in Welsh life but are now concerned about their future due to the imminent expiry of the scheme. She asks for confirmation on what will happen next.
Duncan Baker
Con
Wycombe
This debate is about certainty for Ukrainians in the UK, local authorities to plan for the future, and families still involved in hosting process. I was the first MP to bring Ukrainians into the UK on 3 April 2022.
Hannah Bardell
SNP
Livingston
The speaker expressed concern about dual educational requirements faced by Ukrainian parents due to uncertainty about future educational provisions under the scheme. She highlighted a case from her constituency where parents are worried about maintaining two levels of education for their children. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his deeply emotional and personal contribution, which highlights the real scale of compassion and generosity of people across these isles.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Jim Shannon expressed his support for the Ukrainian Home Scheme, highlighting its importance to Ukrainians who have settled in Britain and are contributing economically. He noted that many people from Ukraine are working and their children attending school, yet they face uncertainty due to the scheme's potential closure. Shannon cited examples of students facing difficulties with their education and employment opportunities being jeopardised if extensions are not granted.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Olivia Blake highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and called for longer-term plans to protect refugees, including free access to family reunification. She also pointed out that 8,900 Ukrainian households have presented themselves as homeless across England, and Ukrainians are four times more likely than the general population to face homelessness.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Many highly qualified Ukrainian guests rarely secure jobs matching their qualifications, suggesting an extension of the scheme would provide employers certainty to hire them based on long-term stays. The hon. Gentleman suggested that the Government should offer solutions to assist individuals who are already in the UK under work visas by extending the current scheme to provide them with the same benefits as newly arriving individuals. The MP agreed with Alison Thewliss's points and suggested that the Government should offer an extension to all Ukrainians in the UK on the same lines as those offered under the work scheme, especially considering the upcoming two-year anniversary of the invasion. The Minister is encouraged to take a further step towards ensuring that those who are here in one of the schemes will have the opportunity to remain in the UK if they desire.
Robert Syms
Con
Croydon Central
Welcomed the questions raised about the future of Ukrainian families in the UK, highlighting the need for certainty and planning. Mentioned difficulties faced by Ukrainians in finding flats due to sponsorship requirements and expressed interest in a survey to understand family intentions regarding returning to Ukraine.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
She emphasized the need for certainty regarding education and employment opportunities for mothers and children from Ukraine who are already in Newport West, stressing that clarity would greatly assist these families.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberafan Maesteg
The MP praised the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire and other speakers, reaffirming Labour's commitment to supporting Ukrainians. He highlighted the need for visa scheme extensions due to potential safety concerns in Ukraine by 2025, emphasizing the importance of stability and certainty for Ukrainian families. Kinnock also pointed out bureaucratic challenges faced initially and raised issues about homelessness among Ukrainian refugees.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
The University of St Andrews in her constituency has 21 Ukrainian students studying there, seeking certainty to continue their studies. She agrees that transferring to a student visa is not the right outcome for those students.
Government Response
Tom Pursglove
Government Response
The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, having welcomed over 230,000 Ukrainians through various schemes. The Homes for Ukraine scheme alone has brought more than 140,000 Ukrainians to the UK. Officials have worked diligently on these initiatives and local authorities across the country have played a crucial role in supporting them. The Government aims to maintain certainty by informing all Ukrainians about visa extension options at least 12 months before their visas expire. Discussions are ongoing with Ukrainian parliamentarians, and the Minister is willing to meet with them. Regarding education, students under Ukraine schemes will continue to access student support if they need further leave to remain. The Government recognises the importance of providing independent living arrangements for Ukrainians but acknowledges challenges in securing private rental accommodation; hence, £1.1 billion in tariff funding has been provided to councils. An additional £120 million is expected next year. For those at risk of homelessness, re-matching services are available and local councils have a responsibility to provide temporary accommodation. The UK has committed over £4.7 billion in non-military support for Ukraine's reconstruction, aiming to create conditions that will drive private investment.
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