On 31 January, my Scottish counterpart and I met with UK Minister Felicity Buchan to talk about issues affecting our Ukraine response. During my last statement, I outlined the financial issues that I would be raising, and these were discussed with Minister Buchan. Unfortunately, our requests for changes that we believe would support public services and services for vulnerable new arrivals were heard but not progressed. Since our meeting with Minister Buchan, our Minister for Finance and Local Government raised similar matters with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, including the need for the UK Government to raise the local housing allowance, but no indication of a change of approach was forthcoming. But we're still working with the UK Government to ascertain what proportion of the new £150 million fund for Ukrainian housing support during 2023-24 will come to Wales. We've put forward a proposal and we've been clear that clarity is needed urgently to enable local authorities to plan sufficiently.

This leaves us and local authorities in a difficult budgetary position, lacking the clarity we need to most effectively deliver our humanitarian response. Nevertheless, we are working with local authorities and partners to consider how best we use the £40 million we have put in the Welsh Government budget for 2023-24. This will support move-on to longer term accommodation, including hosts, and support integration within our communities.

We are currently developing a communications package to encourage further recruitment of Welsh households as hosts for those arriving or remaining in Wales. The UK Government decision to only uplift host 'thank you' payments to £500 after a guest has been in the UK for 12 months means many will struggle with bills when they need help most. However, one positive aspect of the UK Government's funding changes was the extension of the host 'thank you' payments for our guests' second year in the UK. We will raise awareness of this change to retain hosts. We will seek to increase activity in the spring to find those who may be able to support us in this endeavour. As ever, interested hosts can go to gov.wales/offerhome to learn more and register their interest. We're particularly looking for hosts who can support large families, those with pets, or single men.

I've been providing these update statements for many months, but it is still barely believable that we're already approaching the anniversary of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. We know that some Ukrainians here in Wales, including those who sought sanctuary years ago, see 2014 as the start of the current invasion. I think it's important we remember that, even as we reflect upon the anniversary of the invasion intensifying.

This anniversary is a grim milestone and a tragic reminder of why we're doing everything we are doing here in Wales. We are unwavering in our support for those we have welcomed over the last year, the Ukrainian community members who already call Wales home, and those fighting in Ukraine. We are a nation of sanctuary, and I know all sides of this Siambr would agree with me in sending a message of hope, solidarity and respect. The people of Wales have demonstrated beyond doubt that we are a compassionate people, providing amazing support despite huge upheaval through the cost-of-living crisis.

We'll mark the anniversary between the 24 February and 27 February. On the anniversary itself, the Senedd is in recess, but we're working on plans with the UK Government to ensure that the anniversary is marked appropriately. On 25 February, we will welcome Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, to Wales, who will join the Archbishop of Cardiff at a live-streamed candlelight ecumenical prayer service. This will be a mass for peace, and it will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday 25 February in Cardiff metropolitan cathedral, and I will be attending. And then, on Sunday 26 February at 3 p.m., a divine liturgy will also be held at St Peter’s in Cardiff, attended by the Counsel General.

Finally, we are hosting an event at the Senedd on 27 February. We have invited those from all sectors who have reached out and helped people from Ukraine in this past year. I'm looking forward to meeting host families from throughout Wales and their guests. It will be a day of reflection, a day to remember the past and to look to the future.   

Our support for Ukrainians and all sanctuary seekers in Wales will endure far beyond this anniversary. Those who find sanctuary in Wales contribute to our communities, our economy and our sense of who we are as a nation. As President Zelenskyy remarked in his recent address to the UK Houses of Parliament,

'it is in our power to guarantee with words and deeds that the light side of human nature will prevail. The side you and us share. And this stands above anything else.'

Diolch.