Jane Hutt, Minister for Social Justice
As we approach Christmas, I want to update Members about recent issues relating to our ongoing humanitarian Ukraine response. After months of asking for certainty about the future funding of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the UK Government has provided some clarity about a number of issues we have discussed in the Siambr.
The UK Government’s announcement about future Homes for Ukraine funding includes an extension to the host ‘thank you’ payments to the end of the second year after a Ukrainian’s arrival in the UK – something we had repeatedly asked for. It will also be uplifted to £500 a month where the hosted Ukrainian has already been in the UK for 12 months.
We had asked for this uplift to be available this winter, to help people cope with high energy bills and to help prevent homelessness presentations. Unfortunately, it will only be available from the end of Spring 2023.
The funding announcement also includes disappointing news – there will be no year two funding tariff for Homes for Ukraine visa holders. This is out-of-step with other UK Government resettlement routes and will put immense pressure on local authorities and the Welsh Government.
For further information please select the following link Written Statement: Update on Ukraine – December 2022 (21 December 2022) | GOV.WALES