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Britons offering homes to Ukrainian refugees through a new humanitarian route will receive a “thank you” payment of £350 ($456) per month, the government has announced.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme 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 the weeks since the war began, only Ukrainians with family already in the UK have been allowed entry.
The government's reaction to the crisis has been criticised as too little and too slow by some neighbours in Europe where more open-door policies have been introduced.
In the Homes for Ukraine initiative, 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.
People sponsoring refugees through the new route will be required to commit to the scheme for a minimum of six months, but are encouraged to keep up the offer for as long as they can.
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Refugees who fled Ukraine wait outside a temporary centre in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
Refugees intent on fleeing Ukraine wait for hours to board a train from Lviv to Poland. Reuters -
People arrive at a refugee camp near Palanca, in Moldova, about 3 kilometres from the border with Ukraine. EPA -
Pupils in Sache village, France, welcome Anastasia and her son Dary, refugees fleeing Ukraine. AFP -
Refugees from Ukraine disembark a ferry at the border crossing in Isaccea, Romania. Getty -
People who fled Ukraine wait for transport after crossing the border into Poland. AP -
Refugees at a makeshift shelter set up at a four-star hotel in Suceava, Romania. AP -
Women and children arrive at Lviv train station in western Ukraine as they try to flee the country. EPA -
Relatives are reunited after crossing from Ukraine into Hungary. Getty -
A woman welcomes a child who has arrived in Berlin on a train from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees from Odesa arrive in Athens. Reuters -
People fleeing Ukraine arrive at Velke Slemence, Slovakia. EPA -
Parents and children make their way through Berlin's main station after arriving in Germany from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees at the Medyka border crossing in Poland, where thousands are fleeing as a result of the Russian military offensive. AFP -
A sports hall in Chisinau, Moldova, where more than 500 people who fled from Ukraine found shelter. EPA -
A child looks out from a tent at a temporary camp for refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
A worker prepares a gym in Perpignan, France, before the arrival of people fleeing Ukraine. AFP
Those offering accommodation will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.
As a “thank you”, sponsors will receive payments of £350 per month. A website gathering expressions of interest is set to launch on Monday.
The government said it is also working to enable communities, the voluntary sector and charitable and religious organisations to sponsor groups of Ukrainians.
Michael Gove, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, said the UK “stands behind Ukraine in their darkest hour”, and urged people to “join the national effort” to help refugees.
“The UK stands behind Ukraine in their darkest hour and the British public understand the need to get as many people to safety as quickly as we can,” he said.
“I urge people across the country to join the national effort and offer support to our Ukrainian friends. Together we can give a safe home to those who so desperately need it.”
But Labour cautioned that “too many questions remain unanswered” about the new scheme.
Shadow levelling-up secretary Lisa Nandy said it was unclear what support would be offered to vulnerable children and older people, and whether provision would made for unaccompanied children.
