Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 2:18 pm on 1 March 2023.
Thank you, Minister. You'll be aware that, only recently, we brought forward in this Chamber a Welsh Conservative debate on Ukraine, and I had to raise then that Ukrainian refugees who have to leave their sponsor homes have been told that welcome centres are not an option for safe accommodation. In cases such as Swansea, refugees have been forced to leave a particular hotel and left with nowhere to go after being told they were ineligible for social housing. Local authorities are advising Ukrainians to look at the private rental market, but some landlords are now appearing reluctant to take on refugee tenants due to concerns over stability of future earnings. We cannot allow refugees from Ukraine to be forgotten about and become homeless for a second time. Minister, if Wales really is to be a nation of sanctuary, what discussions are you having with local authorities and the Ministers for Climate Change and housing to prevent these horrendous situations occurring? Those people have trusted Wales and its people to come here and feel supported, so it's important that we find safe and stable accommodation for them. Thank you.