Thank you for contacting me about support for people fleeing Ukraine. As you will know, the Government has launched a Homes for Ukraine scheme which allows the British public to open their homes to Ukrainian nationals. It is designed to help quickly bring as many Ukrainians as possible to safety.
Anyone in the UK can become a sponsor, so long as they have at least six months’ leave to remain in the UK. Sponsors will be asked to provide a home or spare room for as long as they are able to and for a minimum of six months. In return for this offer of rent-free accommodation, the Government will provide sponsors with a ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month for up to 12 months. This will be tax free and will not affect an individual’s benefit entitlement or council tax status.
Individuals with a sponsor will be granted three years leave to remain in the UK and will be entitled to work and access public services. It is encouraging to see that, already, businesses across the country are stepping up with offers to provide jobs to Ukrainians as they enter the UK.
As a nation, it is only right that we do everything we can to help those who have had to leave everything they know and love behind. As such, there will be no limit on the number of Ukrainians who can benefit from this offer of support. Like me, my ministerial colleagues fully appreciate the urgent situation facing Ukrainians and the need to balance this with ensuring the safety of all involved in the sponsorship scheme. Ukrainians arriving in the UK will go through security checks and sponsors will also need to undergo necessary DBS checks.
From Friday 18 March, Ukrainians with a named sponsor can apply to come to the UK. Those who would like to become sponsors but do not know anyone personally fleeing Ukraine can record their interest here: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/. I will be looking out for further updates on expansions to the scheme soon.
I recognise that many people would like to assist those who are fleeing Ukraine but are unable to offer rooms within their own homes. That is why I welcome that individuals can offer a separate property for refugees, so long as this is provided rent-free, is fit to live in, is suitable for the number of people offered help, and is available for at least six months. Those who rent will need to seek the permission of their landlord before signing up to become a sponsor.
At this time when hundreds of thousands of innocent Ukrainians are being forced to flee their homes, I take heart in the outpouring of support and generosity from Britons up and down the nation.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
29/03/2022