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Homes for Ukraine Scheme Anniversary — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
01 March 2023
Lead MP
Olivia Blake
Sheffield Hallam
Lab
Responding Minister
Felicity Buchan
Tags
UkraineHousingLocal Government
Word Count: 9005
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Olivia Blake raised concerns about homes for ukraine scheme anniversary — [peter dowd in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Alison Thewliss agreed with Pete Wishart's points and highlighted concerns about the need for further promotion of the Homes for Ukraine scheme due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stressing the importance of additional support for people trying to flee. A case was presented where a constituent's parents under the family scheme could not stay with their daughter due to space constraints, leading to the daughter hosting them without support payments, creating unfair circumstances for hosts.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South Side
Congratulated the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam on securing the debate and highlighted Scotland's role in supporting Ukrainian refugees through the Homes for Ukraine scheme and Scottish super-sponsorship. Emphasized Perth and Kinross Council's success with 314 Ukrainian arrivals, third highest per capita in Scotland. Noted that Scotland has provided over £70 million for the Ukrainian resettlement programme for 2023-24 and called on the UK Government to ensure sustained funding. Stressed the need for quicker provision of biometric residency permits and advocated for refugees' right to work. Asked about discussions with the Home Office regarding biometric residence permits and their impact on issues faced by Ukrainian families.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Congratulated the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam on securing the debate, highlighting the UK's proud history of welcoming refugees and the importance of providing a safe route for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. Noted initial frustrations with visa applications but praised the work done by her constituency teams in helping 114 Ukrainians settle in Oxfordshire. Emphasised the collaborative efforts of councils, community groups, and volunteers to support Ukrainian guests. Raised concerns about long-term housing solutions, referencing difficulties faced by families seeking stable accommodation due to referencing procedures penalising those on universal credit or with no credit history. Highlighted issues related to temporary legal status affecting job prospects and called for an automatic extension of visas. Thanked local authorities for their efforts in managing the refugee situation and encouraged the Minister to look beyond raw homelessness numbers to recognise efficient practices that prevent homelessness.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Paid tribute to the scheme's significance and highlighted challenges such as private rental sector issues, relationships breaking down between host families and refugees, and inadequate welfare support. Noted that over 4,000 Ukrainian households turned to local councils for housing after their placement ended. Criticised the Government for being reactive rather than proactive in addressing these problems.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
He congratulated Perth and Kinross Council for having the third highest number, and the highest number per capita, of Ukrainian guests in Scotland. The council's approach involves building a positive relationship with the private letting sector and creating their own agency to actively bring together guests and hosts. Pete Wishart congratulated his local authority for setting up an in-house agency to connect with other council services such as the welfare rights department, serving Ukrainian guests effectively. He encouraged other local authorities to replicate Perth and Kinross Council's approach.
Government Response
Felicity Buchan
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I thank everyone for the constructive tone of the debate and congratulate Olivia Blake on her comprehensive speech. Felicity Buchan, the Minister responsible for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, expressed pride in the UK's support for Ukrainian nationals and their families. Since launching the scheme on 18 March 2022, over 163,500 people have found a safe home in the UK. The Government provided £1.1 billion to councils through a tariff for each arrival, with an additional £500 million fund for local authorities to purchase or build homes. Buchan highlighted efforts to prevent homelessness and support integration into the community. She also mentioned the importance of English language classes and ensuring professional qualifications are recognised. The minister addressed issues such as council tax disregard for Ukrainian arrivals living with sponsors and clarified differences between the Homes for Ukraine scheme and other routes, emphasizing that individuals have the same rights under both schemes.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.