William Eichler 24 May 2022

MPs warn Ukrainian refugees are being forced into B&Bs

MPs warn Ukrainian refugees are being forced into B&Bs  image
Image: Drop of Light / Shutterstock.com.

MPs have written to the Government to raise concerns about the Homes for Ukraine scheme in light of reports of Ukrainian refugees being forced into temporary accommodation.

Clive Betts, chair of the?Levelling Up,?Housing and Communities?(LUHC)?Committee, has?written to Lord Harrington, minister for refugees, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, concerning recent reports of problems with the operation of the scheme.

These problems include delays in criminal records checks for UK hosts and of accounts of Ukrainian refugees being forced into temporary accommodation such as B&Bs.

Mr Betts said: ‘There continue to be concerns about how the Homes for Ukraine scheme is operating, about the speed in helping refugees arrive, around delays in DBS [Disclosure and Barring Service criminal record] and accommodation checks, and concerns that Ukrainians who have arrived in the UK are finding themselves homeless after their initial place fell through or family members could not host them.’

Mr Betts’ latest letter follows an earlier missive, sent 4 May, which expressed ‘significant concerns’ about support for Ukrainian refugees and for local authorities.

‘There is a glaring disconnect in the current matching process which means the hospitality being offered by sponsors is not being taken up,’ Mr Betts said today.

‘The Government needs to up its game and speed up data sharing with local authorities so they can match refugees to suitable sponsors as quickly as possible and so councils can line up the resources and services to support those fleeing from Ukraine.’

The LUHC Committee has invited Lord Harrington to give evidence to the Committee at a public hearing in June.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

East Midlands Combined County Authority
£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recuriter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Lecturer in SEND

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 p.a. PAY AWARD PENDING
DurhamLearn wish to recruit a Lecturer in SEND – delivering Employment and Work Skills training in the classroom; applicants will have significant tea Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Business Analyst, Selby

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £45,718 per annum
Are you passionate about making public services more effective and efficient? Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Recovery Support Worker (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00 Grade 7, £34,314.00 - £37,035.00 Grade 8, Career Grade
Recovery Support Worker (Career Grade) Badsworth, Pontefract
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Residential Worker (Foster Home) x 2

Wakefield Council
£15,533.50 - £16,683.00, Grade 7,
Residential Worker (Foster Home) x 2 Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner