Funding for Ukraine resettlement: letter to UK Government

To: Minister for Housing and Homelessness Felicity Buchan

From: Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville

Thank you for your correspondence of 28 February about Scotland’s share of funding for Ukraine Resettlement, announced in the UK Government’s Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023.

I am extremely proud of Scotland’s response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Working with local government, third sector and volunteers, Scotland has offered sanctuary to more than 26,000 displaced Ukrainians in their time of need.

Recognising thousands of arrivals reside in short-term volunteer host arrangements, the Autumn Statement referred to “£120 million funding for devolved administrations and local authorities in England” to help prevent homelessness.
It is therefore extremely disappointing that Scotland’s share for 2024-25 will be £7.7 million – a reduction of around 75% compared to 2023-24. This is especially troubling given Scotland has provided sanctuary to more displaced people per capita than any other part of the UK.

When the UK Government announced ‘Homes for Ukraine’ it also agreed to provide a ‘per person’ tariff payment to councils in Scotland for every new arrival to meet costs of integration. As the full-scale invasion continues into its third year, I remain deeply concerned the UK Government has not yet extended integration payments beyond the first year.

Those arriving through the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are provided with a three-year visa by the UK Government. Listening to the view of Ukrainian communities in Scotland, I have been urging the UK Ministers to confirm arrangements for those nearing the end of their visa.

And so, while I welcome the UK Government has recently announced it will put in place an 18-month extension scheme, I must be clear that without adequate multi-year integration tariff funding for councils, delivery partners will face a considerable burden maintaining service provision to meet the on-going needs of displaced and vulnerable people from Ukraine. This is something I hope that the UK Government will address and rectify in Wednesday’s Spring budget by delivering adequate funding for councils.

It is clear the UK Government’s current short-term approach falls short on expectations and puts additional pressures on partners who have worked so hard to stand-up the response.

I look forward to continued engagement as we enter year three of the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and would welcome your assurance that Scottish Ministers will be fully consulted in future on any detrimental changes to funding arrangements.