HFU0004

 

Written evidence submitted by About the Local Government Association (LGA)

 

  1. About the Local Government Association (LGA)

 

 

 

  1. Summary

 

 

 

 

  1.                                                The objectives of the scheme and how it was set up

 

 

 

This needs to form part of ongoing joint work and joint engagement across local and central governmentespecially since as well as supporting Ukrainians, councils are providing support to other refugee populations and asylum seekers. We have

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Funding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Challenges and future risks

 

5.1.       Housing and homelessness

 

 

 

 

 

 

This data also indicates that, 680 households arriving via the Family Visa scheme have presented as homeless after they found that their accommodation was not suitable or available on arrival. 1,050 Family Visa scheme households have had their

 

 

 

 

 

5.2.       Support for sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.3.       Lack of Clarity around the future of the visa schemes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4.       Supporting integration and wellbeing

 

 

 

Employment and language support are key pillars for integration. According to ONS data, Ukrainian employment levels have improved in the UK, rising to 52%. However,

 

 

 

 

5.5.       Visa processes and safeguarding/accommodation checks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Background: key general messages on housing and homelessness
     

 

6.1.       Current data on housing and homelessness

 

 

 

6.2.       Key LGA asks: backing local action on housing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2023


[1] Who we are and what we do | Local Government Association

[2] Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and Ukraine Extension Scheme visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[3] Visa holders entering the UK under the Ukraine Humanitarian Schemes - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

[4] Homelessness management information - Ukrainian nationals: England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) from 24 February 2022 to 20 September 2023

[5] Local Authority Housing Fund - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[6] UK-wide allocation of £150 million homelessness prevention funding - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[7] Visa holders entering the UK under the Ukraine Humanitarian Schemes - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

[8] Investigation into the Homes for Ukraine scheme (nao.org.uk)