The next item is a statement by the Minister for Social Justice, an update on Ukraine. Jane Hutt.

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd, for an opportunity to provide an update to Members about our ongoing work to support people from Ukraine seeking sanctuary in Wales. When I last updated you in June, Wales had welcomed just over 2,200 Ukrainians to Wales under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including our supersponsor route, and I'm pleased to say that this number has risen significantly over the summer recess. Over 5,650 people from Ukraine, sponsored by the Welsh Government and Welsh households, had arrived in the UK by 20 September. There have been additional arrivals under the Ukraine family scheme, but we're not given that data by the UK Government.

But more than 8,200 visas have now been granted to people from the Ukraine who have sponsors in Wales, so we can expect the number of arrivals to continue to grow in the coming weeks, though we anticipate more slowly than over the summer period.

Our partners in local government, the NHS, the third sector, volunteers and, of course, all those people who are acting as sponsors, are making phenomenal efforts to support sanctuary seekers with the services and information they need. Welsh Ministers and leaders of local authorities are now meeting fortnightly to ensure close collaboration on the delivery of these schemes.

Our supersponsor route has supported more than 2,700 Ukrainians here in Wales, with a further 1,700 who've had visas issued with Welsh Government as a sponsor. We're working with the Home Office to ascertain the likelihood of those 1,700 individuals arriving in Wales, so that we can properly plan for providing accommodation and wraparound support.

Since I last updated Members, we've had several temporary, initial-accommodation welcome centres join our scheme, and some have come to an end. Members will appreciate that we don't comment upon these temporary sites, in use, for security and privacy reasons, but I want to pay tribute to partners who have supported us and have now closed their provision. The care and compassion demonstrated by the local authorities, local health boards, universities and the third sector in providing initial accommodation and demonstrating their commitment to our nation of sanctuary vision has been exceptional. I also want to thank all those who continue to be at the forefront of our support to arrivals.

In recent weeks, we have seen a change of UK Government and, with it, the resignation of the UK Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington. Whilst we had some particular requests of the UK Government, which have not been implemented—from funding, safeguarding processes and improvements to the visa system—Lord Harrington was always willing to make himself available to discuss matters with devolved Governments and be open about his views. We welcomed that engagement and we are asking the UK Government to continue this as part of the new Government's approach.

Last week, my Scottish ministerial counterpart, Neil Gray MSP, and I jointly wrote to the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the new Home Secretary, to raise awareness of our pressing needs. Our letter includes the urgent need for the UK Government to increase the £350 'thank you' payments for the Ukraine scheme hosts, to ensure that we do not see a wave of homelessness presentations as an impact of the cost-of-living increases. We have called for confirmation of year 2 and year 3 funding tariffs, as well as renewing the call for dedicated ESOL and health funding tariffs, as exist with other resettlement and protection visa schemes. Additionally, we have called again for funding parity between the three Ukraine schemes.

As well as funding requests and a call for the reintroduction of a Minister for refugees, we have asked for close inter-governmental working in relation to supporting those who may arrive in the UK without a Ukraine scheme visa and ensuring those studying remotely with Ukrainian universities are provided with help to continue their studies.

As we move into the new school year, we are seeing many Ukrainian children enrolled in schools and many parents and adults now working in Wales too. We are seeing very encouraging signs of integration in Welsh communities, and we are working hard to ensure that Ukrainians and the wider community receive the support they need.

In July, the Minister for Climate Change published a written statement about our transitional accommodation capital programme. This £65 million programme is supporting local authorities and registered social landlords to provide more good-quality longer term accommodation for Ukrainians, as well as looking much more widely to support all homelessness needs in Wales. We need to provide good-quality transitional accommodation options to enable everyone to get on with their lives—places people can call their own—while we support individuals and families to find a permanent home.

Ukrainians on the Homes for Ukraine scheme can receive advice from the Welsh Government-funded Wales sanctuary service. The service is run by the Welsh Refugee Council, along with Asylum Justice, Displaced People in Action, Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales, BAWSO and TGP Cymru. Ukrainians on the Ukraine family scheme can also receive integration support via our partnership with British Red Cross. More information on these services can be found on our sanctuary website.

I'm very happy today to say that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change has also agreed to extend the free public transport offer for people seeking sanctuary—the 'welcome ticket'—until at least March 2023. Eligibility criteria have been updated and will be available shortly on the Welsh Government website.

Finally, I want to say that, earlier this year, we made a £1 million donation to the Community Foundation Wales Nation of Sanctuary Croeso fund. Sizable awards have now been made to the Welsh Refugee Coalition and Oasis Cardiff, as well as small grants to other organisations, to ensure people seeking sanctuary can be supported, irrespective of their national origin. All contributions to the fund will be used to help people fleeing terrible circumstances, and I call on organisations and businesses to consider making a corporate donation to play your part in our nation of sanctuary efforts.

We are immensely thankful to those across Wales who are acting as hosts to Ukrainians. Acting as a host is a big commitment and we want to ensure that it is supported. We have funded Housing Justice Cymru to provide a host support service, which includes expert and reliable information, training, advice and guidance for people hosting, or those considering hosting, on the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Wales. More information on sessions and training can be found on the Housing Justice Cymru website. However, we still need many more households to consider whether they could provide a home for six to 12 months for those in need, and if anyone is considering this, we encourage them to register their interest at gov.wales/offerhome, and to attend one of the introduction to hosting sessions facilitated by Housing Justice Cymru. 

We are developing a regular timetable of communications with our Ukrainian guests and hosts to ensure that they are regularly informed about updates, opportunities and available support. In addition, we are planning to engage with arrivals to better understand aspirations, challenges and integration since arrival in Wales. Throughout this crisis, Wales has lived up to its aspiration as a nation of sanctuary and it is vital that we hear the voice of those who have arrived and are settling in Wales to ensure that our response meets their needs. Finally—very finally—with the conflict in Ukraine, Llywydd, continuing as a result of Putin’s ongoing aggression, we must ensure that we stand ready together to continue to welcome people into our country and into our homes.

In your update on Ukraine statements before the summer recess, you spoke of the constructive working relationship you had with the then UK Government Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington. And of course you've referred to him in your statement today also. When he resigned from this role earlier this month, Lord Harrington stated that the role was no longer required because a permanent system was now in place for arrivals, that the role was always meant to be temporary and that his work was essentially complete. He added that he would now take on a voluntary role helping refugees. How do you respond to his statement, based upon practical inter-governmental working requirements in Wales?

In this context, I understand that the new Minister for Migration in the Home Office, Tom Pursglove MP, has been responding to questions regarding the UK schemes for Ukrainian refugees. Does this tally with your understanding, given that you stated that you've written to, I think it was, the Secretary of State for levelling up and the new Home Secretary, in your statement? And if this does tally with your understanding, what engagement are you seeking with Tom Pursglove?

Following my introduction of Link International to you, I'm pleased that the charity and its Ukrainian link programme is working well with north Wales local authorities, in collaboration with other statutory agencies and Welsh Government, in bringing together community and faith groups and third sector organisations to support Ukrainians arriving in north Wales. When I attended a Link International barbecue for Ukrainian refugees in Conwy in July, I was told that in order to keep people as hosts under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and to stop people being moved on, additional support for the hosts would be needed, including support with winter fuel bills. When I wrote to you about this you replied that you were aware of the risk of sponsorships not continuing beyond six months because the hosts are unable to afford the rise in fuel costs. What discussions have you therefore had directly or are you planning to have with the UK Government, beyond correspondence, regarding a possible uplift to the monthly £350 payment to people hosting Ukrainians in their own homes?

During my visit to Conwy in July, the need for English for speakers of other languages, or ESOL, lessons, in person and online, and for action to support skill and qualification transferability—where refugees at the event included a doctor, a dentist, a paramedic, engineers, IT consultants, people with media and digital expertise and many others—were also emphasised to me. Further to your 9 August reply to me regarding these, I'd therefore be grateful for an update on these issues in the context of the devolved services for which the Welsh Government is responsible. 

At the event in July, new arrivals were arriving in buses and I learned of people being placed in increasing numbers in emergency accommodation, hotels, schools, et cetera. At the St David's parliamentary prayer breakfast for Wales on 3 March, I sat next to someone working with the Ministry of Defence on sustainable modular housing solutions for Ukrainian refugees. What, if any, discussions are you having with the MOD about this for Wales further to my raising this with you before the summer recess?

Following the Polish Heritage Days event in the Senedd on 13 July, I sent you a document produced by the Polish Integration Support Centre, or PISC, in Wrexham, detailing their humanitarian efforts to help Ukrainian refugees and a proposal for consolidated and sustainable support for Ukrainian people, including construction of temporary housing. Further to our meeting last week—and I thank you for that—how will you therefore engage with them regarding this?

Finally, I received an e-mail from a constituent on a housing waiting list describing a situation that challenges my own understanding of arrangements in place. He asks, and I quote, 'Why is it that the Ukrainians are getting £500 a week, and some have moved out of a holiday park and got accommodation, and I’m still struggling?' What, therefore, is your understanding of the situation he describes, and how would you respond to him?

Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood. I think I made it very clear in my statement how important it was to have a Minister for refugees, Richard Harrington. Actually, we were meeting with him on a fortnightly basis; the job certainly wasn’t done. He played a very important role. He actually resigned the day before the leadership of the Conservative Party was announced, and I believe that his understanding, from the meeting we had only a week before—. He was actually going to come down to Wales; we had it in the diary. We were going to go and visit a welcome centre together. The job certainly isn’t done.

I am pleased to hear from my officials that, in terms of the role that was played and the important issues that we were raising with the then Minister for refugees, there is a recognition that that needs to be followed through. I would be very interested to see what reply we get from the Home Secretary and Simon Clarke, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. I’m very happy to share the letter that we wrote, myself and Neil Gray. We reiterated the points that we were discussing. We paid tribute to Lord Richard Harrington for his commitment. We asked if there was going to be a UK Minister with portfolio responsibility, not just, I have to say—. In terms of his ministerial responsibility, it wasn’t just for Ukraine, it was for Afghan and Hong Kong welcome schemes as well. We'd very much welcome a dedicated Minister, and would support the appointment of a successor.

But we raised the issues—the financial issues, the real issues—that are now causing a great deal of concern. He called—and publicly, actually—for a doubling of the £350 monthly thank-you payment to hosts. We asked for an increase at least to £500, or up again, doubling to £700 per month. An urgent decision is needed regarding this, because the hosts now, as they reach the end of their six-month period—. That is beginning to start; we’re writing to all hosts to see if they will continue. This is a crucial issue. We asked for quick decisions, and I hope you—as I perhaps asked you last week when we had a briefing about this—and your colleagues will also urge for a quick decision on this funding package.

Also, in terms of the funding package, which we’ve raised on a regular basis, we have no information. And of course, the finance Minister has raised this as well about year 2, year 3. We have no funding for ESOL services from the UK Government, or indeed tariffs for health either—both, actually, that were provided to the Afghan resettlement scheme. I’ve had no contact from the immigration Minister about this, or any other responsibility in relation to refugees and migrants.

I look forward perhaps that maybe we might have some telephone calls from not only the Prime Minister but other Ministers to us in Government. It’s vital that we do actually engage with them and follow this through. There is a huge job of work to be done here. We’re taking responsibility in the way that I’ve outlined fully, and also funding not only our welcome centres, but also paying thank-you payments to hosts if they support a family who initially arrived in Wales under the Ukraine family scheme. That's not happening in England. The commitment that we're making is considerable. I hope everyone will join us today, saying that we need to press for those answers in terms of financial support.

You introduced me, in fact, Mark, to Link International in north Wales, a fantastic organisation. They're a key part our third sector network, which meets regularly with officials and with myself. They also, of course, link to all of the other voluntary groups, the WhatsApp groups now all over Wales that the Ukrainians are organising themselves, which is, of course, what we want to encourage. In fact, this coming weekend, they've organised an arts festival at the Sherman Theatre. I hope people will have seen that. I shall be speaking at the opening event. It's also being sponsored by key Welsh celebrities who are backing what they are doing. But it is important that the support from the third sector is recognised.

In terms of devolved services, I said in my statement that we are now meeting—. Well, I met throughout the whole summer with local government leaders, and we have work streams that run at official level on everything to do with the initial welcome, the move-on services. But we're meeting fortnightly at meetings chaired by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on Ukraine, because the local leadership is crucially important in terms of the provision of those devolved services. They are linked, of course, to the health service, to the third sector, ESOL, et cetera.

We did contact the MOD, and they had no accommodation available. There are many good examples of how authorities, universities, the third sector are coming forward, and, obviously, we would welcome anything else that came forward. But we followed that MOD contact—nothing at that point, or indeed now. But they are all coming together to make contributions. Also, I very much welcome the work that the Polish integration society has undertaken.

In terms of north Wales, we are very thankful to all the authorities in north Wales, all the third sector, to the universities as well, who are engaging, both Bangor and Glyndŵr. There is excellent work in terms of welcome and also, of course, those family hosts.

Thank you for your statement, Minister. It's chilling to think that the people of Ukraine have by now been subjected to the terror and obscenity of war for such a long period, and that, of course, has huge consequences for those who have been forced to flee their country. Our thoughts must also be with those in Russia who are bravely protesting against Putin's mobilisation policies. The human cost of this illegal war for all involved is unacceptable, and I want to echo your thanks for the organisations, bodies and households that have helped welcome those seeking sanctuary to Wales.

You rightly referenced the threat of homelessness in your statement. Positive Action in Housing, the refugee homelessness charity, is among many organisations who are highlighting the continuing and intensifying risk to refugees from homelessness. The pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, combined with the absence of comprehensive assessments, matching hosts and refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, mean that a number of hosting arrangements are ending abruptly. Twenty-five per cent of sponsors have said they only wanted to provide accommodation for six months, according to an Office for National Statistics survey of over 17,000 hosts. As we know, the current rental market is increasingly competitive and the cost of deposits is enormous, which means Ukranians who have found their hosting arrangements ending or breaking down will be unlikely to be able to enter the private market.

You say you're meeting regularly with Welsh local government leaders, so what are the local authorities telling you regarding this issue, Minister? Do you have any figures on the number of hosting arrangements that have broken down or ended in Wales, leaving refugees at risk of homelessness? I'm glad you've renewed your appeals to the UK Government for increased support, but could we potentially allow our local authorities to become guarantors for Ukrainians faced with having to enter the rental market, or are there any other similar solutions within our devolved competencies if Westminster continues not to act? As the Welsh Government isn't willing at the moment to institute a ban on evictions this winter, Minister, do you accept we could see refugees also finding themselves homeless when hosts find themselves turned out due to the cost-of-living crisis?

Given the intense economic pressures, I'm glad to hear the Welcome Ticket scheme that allows refugees to travel for free on buses in Wales is to be renewed, as it was originally, of course, coming to an end this week. It's a shame that companies such as First Cymru were not informed about this by the Welsh Government, as they've stated on Facebook today that the scheme is ending, and there are no updates as yet on their social media. You say eligibility criteria has been updated. So, could you tell us what those changes are? Minister, has all this been communicated to refugees and those that are hosting them? It could lead to embarrassment and difficulties in travelling to work or educational settings for many refugees if the companies and their drivers, and, indeed, the refugees themselves, are unclear on this issue. 

I'm also glad to hear you've raised the issue with the UK Government about the lack of support for students who have been forced to leave their country, but understandably want to complete their studies online with Ukrainian universities, especially, of course, given the terrible upheaval they've already faced. You'll remember, I hope, that I wrote to you on this very subject earlier this month, as a family in my region have sponsored a 19-year-old woman who is unable to access any financial support from the DWP or student finance as she is studying remotely for a degree in Kyiv university. While we're waiting for a response from the UK Government on that, and, indeed, while I await a response to my letter to you, what support can be offered to her?

Thank you very much. Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. This is about our nation of sanctuary; how we work together, as we always have, to support those who are fleeing, as you say, the obscenity of war, the terror. I recall, right from the word go, Putin's aggression. We talked about Putin; we think also of the Russians who now are threatened and leaving Russia themselves. The human cost of war is where we step in to help and open the door.

I think it is very important to say that we're working flat out, and have all over the summer, with our housing authorities and, indeed, RSLs and the third sector, to support not only the initial welcome—. If you recall, way back, we said we thought we could take perhaps 1,000 in our supersponsor scheme; we've now got 2,700. Our welcome centres are all full to capacity and, of course, some have had to move on to the other functions that they play. But, of course, working with them, it's about how we move arrivals to longer term accommodation. But, of course, our accommodation is under significant pressure. It's not possible for everyone. Some who are moving on are going to new hosting arrangements. We're arranging matches to vetted hosts across Wales. And actually, there are thousands of Welsh households who are now in the process of being vetted to become hosts to those currently living in accommodation. You will see that we have been making an appeal to encourage people to come forward, because, actually, there has been a huge benefit and positive response from hosts.

But we've got to back them up with funding. That's why I thank you for supporting our call to address—. It is inadequate, the £350; it's got to be increased. And, of course, we would want those households to claim every benefit—the fuel support scheme, et cetera—that they are entitled to, because that will help with those. But it is important that we do not in Wales get into the position where we have homeless Ukrainian families as a result of this scheme. So, there are very imaginative programmes—going on to new hosts, extending hosting arrangements now, going on to new hosts from our welcome centres—but also this transitional accommodation that I described, the £65 million for transitional accommodation. And that includes a whole range of issues like repurposing empty buildings. Local authorities are really coming up with a whole range of ways in which we can support people, perhaps, from a welcome centre, or a host family, into that intermediate accommodation, and then on to other longer term accommodation.

It's very difficult in the private rented sector in terms of the rents. We have asked—. Again, this is unfinished business in terms of the UK Government—seriously unfinished business—in terms of us needing support, and an increase in the local housing allowance and discretionary housing payments, to enable people to be moved in and supported into private rented accommodation. So, we're working very hard with our housing authorities as well.

I'll just, perhaps, clarify that in terms of the transport announcement, we've been working hard to get this announcement for today, so it is news today, and I can assure you that we will get the eligibility criteria out as quickly as possible to ensure that Transport for Wales and bus companies across Wales, which did operate the free public transport—that we actually learn from the pilot and improve on it. We intend to extend the current scheme and minimise confusion or misinterpretation of eligibility. Just to clarify and put on the record: this is for all refugees and people on humanitarian visas in Wales; it includes anyone granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or a humanitarian visa. It is crucial that we get that message out; it will all be clearly communicated, and we will take that point about the transport providers, in terms of their websites, et cetera.

I want to just also comment on your point about access to education and higher education. This is particularly important in terms of the opportunities for the young people coming here. When we also hear from the UK Government, we'll be able to give you more clarity in terms of options, finance, et cetera. We've written to the Home Secretary, as you know, and the Secretary of State, and I'll share what we've said to them. But, universities are keen to offer refuge to academics and students, and we are working with Universities UK as well as Universities Wales. But, also, I have to say that Ukrainian students are maintaining relationships with their host institutions in Ukraine and are continuing to access online learning, but there are issues in terms of financial difficulties; that's why we've written to the UK Government in terms of student support and access to universal credit.

We've got the Council for At-Risk Academics and universities of sanctuary all over Wales, and certainly, we met the vice-chancellor of Wrexham Glyndŵr University, which is one example of tremendous support, when I was in Wrexham on Friday. There are twinning initiatives with Universities UK International, but also, we're very keen to look to further education as well; we've confirmed revised entry criteria for many schemes, including apprenticeship schemes. Diolch. 

Minister, I welcome this update on Ukraine, as, indeed, I welcome the continuing commitment of the people of Wales and the Welsh Government to be a nation of sanctuary in actions as well as words for refugees and those fleeing conflict. Part of the way forward, as you've described this afternoon, is now finding many, many more hosts to open their homes so that we can move beyond the necessary, but initial, welcome-centre approach, and that's where I have a suggestion. Minister, you may be aware of the many informal groups across Wales, like Safe Haven Maesteg and the Bridgend Ukrainian support group, who've set up not only places to meet and to exchange information for Ukrainian families fleeing war and persecution, and for host families, but also to provide direct help and support too, with clothing, furniture, bikes, days out, English lessons and much more. In fact, the Counsel General, Mick Antoniw, visited with us the Maesteg support group only in the last couple of weeks, and I think you enjoyed your time there, as they enjoyed your visit as well and really appreciated it.

Now, I think that the host families involved in these groups would be a valuable resource, first-hand experience, for the Minister and her officials on what's worked well in becoming a host, what's been more tricky and how to encourage others to come forward as much-needed new hosts. These groups may also be a really good ally in spreading the message to others and helping support others on their journey to being a host. So, Minister, if you or your officials have any time and would like to come to meet the groups in Bridgend and Maesteg to sit down with them to discuss, both with the Ukrainians who are being hosted and also with the host families, what has worked, what's been difficult, so that we can encourage many, many more hosts to come forward. It's been heartwarming to see the response in Wales, but we now need that to be even larger and help people with the challenges they have in becoming host families, and make it easier for them.

I thank Huw Irranca-Davies very much for that suggestion, that proposal, but also just for your description of how these support groups—. And particularly in your community, you've told me about the Maesteg support group, but I think all across Wales, we have similar groups that are hosts and Ukrainians coming together. On Monday, I'm visiting a Ukraine centre in Cardiff, which was set up with hosts in Cardiff and Ukrainians, and this is being reflected all over Wales. I mentioned the arts festival that they're organising this weekend.

I did mention in my statement that we've funded Housing Justice Cymru to provide a host support service, so we must make sure that that is working—I'd like feedback on that. And that's the Housing Justice Cymru website, but I would very much like to—and I know that the Counsel General has visited—learn from our sponsors so that we can share that information. We have undertaken a sort of publicity campaign to get more hosts coming forward, and the best place to get that information is from other hosts who have found it successful. So, thank you very much. We will follow that through.

I've got someone in my constituency who married into a Ukrainian family. He's got a Ukrainian wife and Ukrainian family still out in Ukraine, and he's been having trouble getting access to services and bringing the family back to Wales. I've got an e-mail that I'd like to read out to you from this individual, with a specific question at the end, please:

'Welsh Government advice, guidance and policy implementation fails to properly account for the circumstances of those arriving in Wales under the Ukraine family scheme. The Welsh Government supersponsor scheme is silent about family scheme members. To date, published advice only focuses on Homes for Ukraine scheme members. The Welsh Government professes to provide a wraparound service to all those seeking refuge in Wales. In my experience, it has fallen far short of this. Family scheme members are out on a limb and largely left to their own devices, irrespective of their particular needs and circumstances. No assessment is made of the capacity family members have to support their families: language abilities, house location, condition and size, financial capability, age of head of household, numbers of family members seeking refuge, their age, health needs, cultural change and adaptation. My family and I have struggled with issues to do with networking, legal requirements such as rights and responsibilities—'

You're out of time. Reading—

Sorry, I'll just get to the question.

Yes, getting to the question would help, actually. Reading out a long e-mail is not an ideal use of scrutiny in this Senedd.

I appreciate it. So, the question is: will the Welsh Government and Welsh local authorities now provide equivalent support to those seeking sanctuary in Wales, both under the Ukraine family scheme and the Homes for Ukraine scheme?

We would love to be able to have the same kind of support from the UK Government for the Ukraine family scheme, as they are providing for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The UK Government has never given a penny towards the family scheme, as I'm sure, Mabon, you're aware. We've called for it. In fact, the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in one of his last PMQs, actually said that he thought the Ukraine family scheme should get the same funding and support as the Homes for Ukraine scheme. It's never happened. We've asked the question again in this letter, so I would want to share that with you, Mabon, so that you can share with your constituent. But we actually have provided thank-you payments to people who are hosting Ukrainian families. It's all Welsh Government money; it's not UK Government, because they don't provide a penny. And also, the British Red Cross—£246,000—who are actually supporting Ukrainian families who are hosting family members under the Ukrainian family scheme. So I hope that we can now follow up this contact, Mabon, and make sure that we get this information and support to your family.

Thank you, Minister.