Shadow Social Justice Minister and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has welcomed this week’s Statement by the Minister for Social Justice, ‘Homes for Ukraine Refugees Scheme Update’, and responding to it urged her to ensure that all those arriving in Wales from Ukraine receive the help and support they are going to need.
Speaking in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood emphasised the need for refugees to be contacted as soon as their visa is granted.
He also referred to the “many support hubs, church and faith communities and individual households who are approaching us all with offers of longer term accommodation” and asked how the Welsh Government is engaging with them.
He said:
“When I questioned you last week, I referred to a refugee who had arrived in Flintshire under the Ukraine Family Scheme, who had been told that she couldn't access benefits or register with a GP until she had a full visa. So, under the separate ‘Super-Sponsor’ scheme, will the Welsh Government therefore contact people once a visa is granted, even if they haven't yet received a full visa? What support, if any, will they receive if they struggle to make their own way to the UK, and if not from Governments themselves, then what engagement is the Welsh Government having with NGOs or other bodies to this end?
“You've confidentially identified the location of the initial Welsh Government Welcome Centre somewhere in North Wales, with further Centres somewhere in other regions. Will this remain permanently confidential or when will this be made known publicly?
“In the Welsh Government update last Saturday, which I referred to, you also identified a range of services that will be available in the Welcome Centres, as you again did today, including provision to learn English and Welsh, and access to health services and lessons for children.
“What assurance can you therefore provide that these have all been agreed with local agencies, particularly Local Authorities and Health Boards, and will be in place when people arrive?
“You state that the Welsh Government will work to find longer term homes for individuals and families accommodated in the Welcome Centres. Will you therefore provide us with an update on how you're engaging with the many Support Hubs, Church and faith communities, and individual households who are approaching us all with offers of longer-term accommodation?”
Mr Isherwood also asked the Minister what engagement she is having with the Ministry of Defence regarding the provision of large-scale accommodation, and questioned her about the dedicated helpline for people arriving in Wales from Ukraine and for people who are acting as sponsors.
Speaking outside the meeting he said:
“To contact the dedicated helpline, the number for callers in the UK is: Freephone 0808 175 1508, the number for callers outside the UK is: +44 20 4542 5671.
“For information on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, see: https://www.gov.uk/register-interest-homes-ukraine”.