7. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:07 pm on 27 September 2022.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:07, 27 September 2022

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.