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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:20 pm on 24 January 2023.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 6:20, 24 January 2023

Diolch yn fawr, Mark Isherwood, and I look forward as well to my visit on Friday to the Polish integration centre. Also, just in terms of links to the third sector and faith groups, I'm also very much looking forward to meeting Link International in north Wales during my visit later this week. Also, I will be holding a meeting next week with the third sector, which includes the faith groups. 

I think it is important to recognise that we are pleased to be providing sanctuary for so many people. There's been a huge team Wales response to a terrible ongoing conflict, as you said. And it's this partnership approach that will continue as we support people to move on into longer term accommodation, either to hosts or into private or social housing across Wales. I've already identified the very good news that 1,200 have moved on, 800 into other hosts or, indeed, to private rented accommodation.

You ask about the ways in which we are supporting working with local authorities to provide interim and longer term accommodation. This is about all those in housing need in Wales, making sure that we use the transitional accommodation capital programme. We're investing £89 million through that programme to deliver more good-quality longer term accommodation, and it will help everyone in housing need. We're also investing over £197 million in homelessness and housing support. But we've taken the decision, as I've said, to include that £40 million in our draft budget, to continue our support for the people of Ukraine in this coming financial year. And these allocations underpin and highlight our commitment to supporting Ukrainian guests as they come to Wales. And I think it's important, in terms of that £89 million, that this is enabling local authorities to develop innovative ways in which they can accommodate those in housing need. 

I think it's important to say in terms of the UK Government that we're very disappointed with the funding announcements they've made; I've made that clear in my statement. We believe the decisions to cut integration tariff funding for new arrivals, to scrap year 2 funding altogether, is short-sighted and counter-productive, because local authorities are working tirelessly to support Ukrainians and their hosts, but these funding cuts withdraw vital funding at a time of immense pressure on public services. I met the UK Minister, Felicity Buchan, before Christmas, with the Minister for refugees from Scotland, Neil Gray, and, indeed, we've got a meeting next week with Felicity Buchan. So, I'm glad that, again, Mark, we are moving forward on a trilateral basis to raise these issues. But there's no clarity, as I said in my statement, about the £150 million housing support that was announced before Christmas.

Just in terms of the breakdown or ending of placements, if, for any reason, sponsorship arrangements need to be ended early, the local authority is the one that should be notified. The authority needs to be notified as soon as possible. They'll help Ukrainians. They're all working flat out across Wales to help Ukrainians in these situations. But, also, we're funding the Welsh Refugee Council to provide support for those who need support directly, and they can in fact contact the Welsh Refugee Council. If we look at the nation of sanctuary website, the numbers are given, and they can contact and they will get bespoke advice and support on an individual family household basis. But this is about a partnership that we have with Housing Justice Cymru and Asylum Justice Cymru, who are also helping Ukrainian guests with immigration problems and questions as well.

So, as you know, this is about the team Wales approach, working together, supporting all of those who come to stay and live with us here in Wales, and giving them the support that we feel that they are entitled to. And, of course, many now are moving into jobs, into further and higher education, and we are addressing, and indeed the education Minister is clearly addressing, many of the issues that you've raised in terms of access to education. But also, we are addressing the issues relating to qualifications as well. This is something where, I think, in terms of the powers that we've got—. We've updated eligibility guidance for post-16 funding for those arriving under the Home Office Ukraine visa schemes, and all universities are keen to offer refuge for academics and students, and also working on the issues regarding the transferability of qualifications.