COUNCILS across England and Wales have responded to the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, whereby householders will be offered payments for housing refugees from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Following criticism of the UK Government by politicians and commentators across the political spectrum over the speed and scale of its efforts to bring fleeing Ukrainians to the UK, it has been announced that Brits offering homes to Ukrainian refugees through a new humanitarian route will receive a "thank you" payment of £350 per month.

The Government says the scheme, to be rolled out this week, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people fleeing the war to safety - even if they have no ties to the UK.

In making the announcement, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said sponsors can nominate a named Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them in their home or offer a separate property for them to use rent-free.

Local authorities will be given just over £10,000 per Ukrainian who is accepted on the scheme, Mr Gove – the minister in charge of the scheme – has confirmed. Additional payments will be provided to school-aged children and those arriving under the scheme will have access to full NHS care and mental health services, he added.

Among those saying yesterday (Sunday) that they would be ready to make rooms in their homes available for refugees was actor Benedict Cumberbatch speaking to journalists at last night’s televised BAFTAs presentations night.

However, politicians of all parties have criticised the relatively low number of Ukrainian refugees so far being granted visas to enter the UK, with some laying the blame at the door of Home Secretary Priti Patel. News channels have highlighted the case of a 90-year-old refugee who was told she’d have to wait a week for an appointment in France over applying for a visa.

With regard to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, which represents 350 councils across England and Wales, said: “The humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukraine invasion is heart-breaking. Councils are ready to help new arrivals from Ukraine settle in the UK and to support communities who wish to offer assistance to those fleeing the devastating conflict

"Councils will be central in helping families settle into their communities and access public services, including schools, public health and other support, including access to trauma counselling.

“The Government must continue to work closely with councils, the community and voluntary sector and other key local partners to co-design this sponsorship scheme so it can move at pace and scale. We look forward to seeing the full details as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, in response to details revealed regarding the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said: “As an organisation with seven decades of experience working directly with refugees to help them rebuild their lives after the trauma of war, we are concerned that people from Ukraine are still not being recognised as refugees and being asked to apply for visas when they just need to be guaranteed protection.

“This programme falls short of enabling any Ukrainian, particularly the most vulnerable such as children who are alone, to seek safety in the UK and access the full support they urgently need.

“By establishing a visa route and naming scheme, it will inevitably be restricted to those who are known to people in the UK and be a quite complex lengthy visa application process. A humanitarian crisis requires a speedy and compassionate response not one that puts bureaucratic hurdles ahead of the immediate needs of people whose lives have been ripped apart.

“We are also worried about ensuring the safety and wellbeing for Ukrainians who have fled bloodshed, and the level of support available for their sponsors. We are talking about very traumatised women and children whose experiences are unique, and the level of support needs to match that. It’s like asking people to be foster carers without any robust checks, training or having a social worker in place to support them.

“Those coming here who have already had their lives turned upside down, will also not have full rights to benefits, so there is a real risk they could end up homeless if they have to leave the sponsors or extended family home which would be completely devastating. It’s vital they can quickly access GPs, mental health services and schools to ensure they have the support they will so desperately need to rebuild their lives in the UK.”