Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:25 pm on 22 November 2022.
It is interesting to remember, and it's not that long ago, that we committed to support 1,000 Ukrainians through our supersponsor scheme. We've now welcomed 3,000 through the supersponsor route. We also, actually, have a further 1,600 who we've sponsored who have visas but haven't arrived.
I'm looking forward, very much, to meeting Felicity Buchan next week, alongside my colleague Neil Gray from the Scottish Government, with whom we have worked bilaterally, and with former Ministers throughout our humanitarian response of welcoming Ukrainian guests. We will meet on Thursday this week, we've got the date in the diary. We will raise the issues about funding, particularly in terms of the £350 'thank you' payment for hosts, which previous refugee Minister Richard Harrington suggested should be up to £500 if not doubled. So, we are hoping that this will be something that we can progress with them. Of course, I will report back, I'll do a written statement following my meeting with the new Minister and take that forward.
Onward accommodation is crucial, and that's where we work with local authorities. It's good to have that feedback from north Wales. We have a framework for accommodation that sets out expectations for local authorities, and it actually makes sure that we're working together on how we can rehouse and support Ukrainian guests as they move into longer term accommodation. It's a mixture of accommodation, as I've said. Some people are moving into hosting arrangements from a welcome centre, others into the private rented sector and other forms of good-quality transitional accommodation. But you've made the point very clearly, Mark; as we recognise, we've got nearly 8,500 people in temporary accommodation already in Wales, and these are housing pressures that will only increase with the cost-of-living crisis. So, it's a huge challenge. I'm working very closely with the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, on this issue, and working with the local authorities.
One of the key opportunities is the £65 million transitional accommodation capital programme that is supporting a range of initiatives by local authorities and registered social landlords. They are coming up with all sorts of options and opportunities regarding providing empty homes, transitional accommodation, a whole variety of ways in which people can be supported into next steps for onward accommodation.
Yes, we're having an event in the capital city of Wales on Saturday for Holodomor, but I know that, because there are so many networks across Wales of Ukrainian guests, hosts are organising memorial events as well. I'll make sure I can share any further information that my officials are aware of, and, indeed, through our contacts with Ukrainian guests.
You will know, Mark Isherwood, that I work very closely with the third sector group. I met them only a couple of weeks ago. That includes the organisation from north Wales who I regularly meet and you introduced me to, but also all the county voluntary councils as well as British Red Cross and now, increasingly, Ukrainian guests themselves. We actually have developed with them a participation and engagement strategy to ensure that we can engage with Ukrainian guests and much more co-produce policies for the way forward, and get their feedback. That is being implemented. Can I suggest that I actually meet with the Polish integration society on my next visit to north Wales, to Wrexham? We congratulate them on all that they've done, and particularly welcome the Christmas Bridge project.