URGENT: A REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SCHEME NEEDED!
MATCHING UNDER HOMES FOR UKRAINE
The UK government's response to the refugee crisis in Ukraine has been slow, restrictive and the "sponsorship scheme" leaving people to find each other for sponsorship promises to be chaotic and inadequate:
See The Guardian article 16.3.22:
"Every Ukrainian coming to the UK will still have to fill in a visa application, the ministers said, but the form was being simplified and cut from 49 pages to 30.
Refugees entering EU countries do not have to fill in a visa application before arrival.
The Conservative MP Adam Holloway said: “We’re making it incredibly difficult for women and children to come here, with enormous reputational damage to a government..."
Whilst it is always easier to criticise from the sidelines, than to actually do, we believe
an urgent Refugee Resettlement Scheme that encompasses ALL residents of Ukraine, irrespective of nationality, backed by the UK government is required:
"In further developments, Scotland is to act as a super-sponsor for an initial group of 3,000 Ukrainian refugees who could begin arriving in the country from as early as this weekend.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said her government’s plans would run in parallel with the first phase of the wider UK scheme, but did not require those fleeing to be matched with individual sponsors before being allowed entry to the UK.
The Welsh government said it was also completing plans to become a super-sponsor".
See The Week article 17.3.22:
"The generosity shown by the British people stands in stark contrast to the “shameful” nature of their government’s early response to this crisis, said Ian Birrell in The i Paper."
Homes for Ukraine scheme: Everything you need to know if you are thinking of hosting a Ukrainian refugee:
See the government web page - Homes for Ukraine:
See Kent on Line article:
See also the helpful pages on FAQs re. Homes for Ukraine scheme:
We believe the scheme should be supported as it is an uncapped scheme. However instead of delegating the operation of the scheme to the community this should be a task the central government should be running, funding and managing the logistics of matching and transport to make it more efficient and speedier.
At the time of writing, only phase one enabling individuals to sponsor individuals with little explanation of how to find a person to sponsor is available, i.e. Someone who knows someone who knows someone... there is no co-ordinated central register.
MATCHING UNDER HOMES FOR UKRAINE POLICY
The UK government's policy leaves potential sponsors and individuals fleeing to essentially find each other.
Besides inherent problems in operating such a scheme, there are risks that those who are vulnerable and fleeing could find themselves in the hands of a minority of people who may exploit them.
The scheme should not transform itself into a dating agency or leave open the possibility of exploitation of the vulnerable by paving the way for modern slavery or human trafficking.
A central Govt funded and monitored refugee resettlement scheme is the safest solution. At the very least the matching of those fleeing to sponsors must be facilitated and funded by central government with all the devolved nations acting as super sponsors.
The BBC articles below highlight the difficulties:
The Guidance for Councils issued on 18.3.22 states as follows with regard to safeguarding and it is unclear if this meets the Government's anti-modern slavery and human trafficking policy:
"Safeguarding checks:
Councils have a statutory duty to promote the welfare of adults and children at risk and reserve the right to check in on guests and inspect accommodation once they have arrived. The sponsor guidance makes clear that prospective sponsors will be subject to accommodation and safeguarding checks.
The checks outlined below must be conducted as soon as possible after the council has been alerted that a visa application has been made. Best endeavours should be used to conduct the checks before the arrival of the guest(s), recognising that this will not be possible in all circumstances. Councils must make at least one in-person visit either before or shortly after a guest has arrived, to confirm that the accommodation is suitable and the guest is well and that there are no serious safeguarding, or welfare concerns.
Please note that, as no rent is payable for accommodation under the scheme, we therefore do not expect councils to require such accommodation to obtain an HMO license (per the HMO definition in the Housing Act 2004, S.254 (2)(e). Councils must also undertake basic DBS checks on all adults in the sponsor household. In households where there are incoming arrivals who are children and/or vulnerable adults, an enhanced DBS check with barred lists check will be required for all adults in the sponsor household. "
LOCAL AUTHORITIES ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE
On 18.3.22 the government has announced guidance for local authorities with a payment of:
Initial cash allowance for guest - £200 subsistence payment
Operation of ‘thank you’ payment system - £350 per month for the first six months to the sponsor
Tier of local government that receives the £10,500 funding
The Department for Education (DfE) will allocate funding on a per pupil basis for the three phases of education at the following annual rates:
Early years (ages 2 to 4) - £3,000
Primary (ages 5 -11) - £6,580
Secondary (ages 11-18) - £8,755
This funding will be welcome but is unlikely to go far enough to meet needs as Local Authorities are already under enormous pressure.
See below:
See below The Guardian article:
“One key question that kept cropping up was why local government was not consulted before the announcement. This initiative was cooked up in Whitehall instead of inviting in council chief executives from across the country and asking them what would work.”
The absence of consultation with stakeholders has frequently been a problem with many Government proposals which have transpired to be impracticable.