With British Red Cross research stating that housing schemes for Ukrainian refugees “weren’t built for longevity”, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has questioned the Welsh Government over how they are supporting Ukrainian refugees in Wales.
Speaking in this afternoon’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, in Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Mr Isherwood asked “How is the Welsh Government supporting Ukrainian refugees in Wales”.
He then went on to highlight the identified problems facing Ukrainian refugees in the UK and asked what analysis the Welsh Government have taken of this in Wales.
He said:
“To be clear, my Party recognises that all the UK nations will always play their part in offering a home to genuine refugees, having proven that they would be at risk if they returned to their home country, including very much those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
“To date, 220,000 have reached safety in the UK through schemes like Homes for Ukraine and the Ukraine Family Scheme.
“British Red Cross research has found that displaced Ukrainians remain more than twice as likely to experience homelessness than in the general UK population, and they've highlighted a hidden homelessness crisis amongst displaced Ukrainians who fled the conflict in 2022, and came here under schemes like Homes for Ukraine, stating, 'The Ukraine schemes weren't built for longevity. Hosting arrangements sometimes faltered after six months. Barriers – including to employment and childcare – made it difficult for many Ukrainians to become financially independent'.
“So, what analysis has the Welsh Government therefore taken of this in Wales? What were its findings? And what consideration has the Welsh Government given, or will it give, to the recommendations made by the Red Cross, based on what their research has shown to be best practice?
Responding, the Cabinet Secretary, Jane Hutt, said:
“Securing longer term accommodation is key to provision of support for those displaced by the crisis in Ukraine, and this includes hosting, the private rented sector, and other forms of good quality transitional accommodation.”
She added:
“I think it's finally important to say, it's our priority to support Ukrainians into longer term accommodation, where they can have more independence, settle within communities, and rebuild their lives. We're providing £1.5 million this year to support with ongoing costs associated with the Ukraine response to our local authorities.”