That a thank-you payment supplement of £150 per month, for 4 months, commencing in December 2023 be given to those hosting Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

To provide additional financial support to those hosting Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

An alternative option would have been not to offer any additional supplement payment, this option was discounted in order to avoid the potential for additional pressure on other services should host families be struggling financially.

This decision will be implemented immediately.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed in his Autumn statement the thank you payments will continue into the third year for those hosting Ukrainian nationals via the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

If hosts end their hosting arrangements, the Council will see an increase in homelessness applications from our Ukrainian refugees with temporary accommodation for a single adult costing as much as £2,240 per month.

The hosts come from a variety of different backgrounds with various levels of income.  The supplements would only be available to those hosting under the government funded Homes for Ukraine scheme.  The supplement payment would come from one-off funding which needs to be managed to ensure the necessary support continues across the work the Council undertakes in respect of all refugees and asylum seekers.

None.