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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:15 pm on 24 January 2023.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 6:15, 24 January 2023

Clearly, the horrific ongoing events in Ukraine, following Putin's illegal invasion, have a direct impact on the number of Ukrainians arriving in Wales, and will continue to do so in the future, with January's UK Government figures showing that 8,700 visas have been issued to those with a sponsor in Wales, and with 6,300 people with sponsors in Wales having arrived in Wales, of which almost half have the Welsh Government as a supersponsor.

However, only last week, we saw media coverage of the mum and daughter who fled fighting in Ukraine, but now face homelessness as their Welsh sponsor pulls out, who now have until 20 February to find a new sponsor, but can't afford private rent and fear they could end up on the streets. It was also reported that many sponsors had not anticipated housing people from Ukraine for months and years with no end in sight, and are pulling out of the scheme, where currently any refugee asked to leave by their sponsor must present as homeless to their local authority. What specific and proactive action are you therefore taking to meet this need, Minister?

Of course, this is separate to the Welsh Government's supersponsor scheme, which is acting as the host in place of a family or household sponsor, putting refugees directly into welcome centres like hotels. How is the Welsh Government, therefore, accommodating the greater numbers of people arriving under the supersponsor scheme than originally planned for, and addressing the impact this has on local services and communities?

The Irish Government has announced that it will be delivering 700 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees this year, including 200 accommodating 800 Ukrainian guests to be built by Easter, as it scrambles to find housing. Given that Wales has a long-standing affordable-housing supply crisis, what work, if any, has the Welsh Government done on this option, both stand-alone and with the UK Government?

During my visit to Mold job centre last summer, I was impressed by the work they're doing to support Ukrainian refugees, and was not surprised to learn that the refugees don't want to be dependent and are keen to work and contribute. What, if any, work is the Welsh Government, therefore, undertaking with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that Ukrainian guests can also access relevant devolved services via a single point of access, including the transferability of qualifications and English as a second language or ESOL courses, or Welsh if they live in the areas where that's the predominant language of use?

The report on the north Wales Ukraine response, issued by charity Link International earlier this month, reflected on their journey together with the their Ukrainian guests over the previous 10 months. This includes reference to the various meetings they've taken part in with the Welsh Government and to the regular updates they've provided to the Welsh Government and local leaders about their work. This also refers, for example, to their having been made aware of various safeguarding issues that have caused concern, and to their work with the charity Haven of Light, highlighting the risks around exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking. Minister, have you read and responded to this report, which you may or may not have received? And if not, will you do so now that I've made you aware of it?

Responding to your statement on Ukraine here last month, I again referred to discussions you're having with the UK Government regarding a possible uplift to the monthly £350 payment to people hosting Ukrainians in their own homes. I therefore welcomed confirmation the following day that the UK Government had been actively working on this when a new support package for Ukrainians of over £650 million was announced, including an increase in payments to £500 month to Homes for Ukraine hosts. Your written statement a week later acknowledged this, but also called for clarity about funding tariffs for Homes for Ukraine visa holders, or alternative funds to continue to support people from Ukraine while they're in the UK. What further engagement are you therefore having with the UK about this?

This month's briefing on its response to the invasion of Ukraine by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales asked that Members continue to raise the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis in the Senedd, do not allow it to be forgotten, and support the Welsh and UK Governments to work towards an end to the conflict through peaceful means. How is the Welsh Government therefore engaging with faith groups regarding their response to the humanitarian, and potential global food crisis, caused by the invasion of Ukraine, as highlighted by the Catholic Bishops Conference for England and Wales?

And, finally, just a comment, I look forward to seeing you at the Polish integration support centre on Friday, when their help for Ukrainian refugees can also be discussed. Diolch yn fawr.