Refugees from Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, using;
- missiles
- airstrikes
- and ground invasion
across the country. It was described by the UN as the fastest growing crisis since World War II and Europe’s largest refugee crisis since then.
In the first week of the invasion, the UN reported over a million refugees had fled Ukraine and an ongoing refugee crisis began in Europe.
By late May, it has been recorded that nearly 7.9 million refugees fled Ukraine across Europe. While an estimated 8 million people have been displaced within Ukraine itself.
Homes for Ukraine scheme (HFU)
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the Government on 14 March 2022. The uncapped scheme enables a sponsor in the UK to nominate
- a named Ukrainian
- or a named Ukrainian family
to stay with them in their home or allow them to offer a separate property.
Sponsors are asked to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for ideally a minimum of 6 months. And are entitled to receive a ‘thank you’ payment from the Government, which is facilitated by the Council.
Those arriving via this scheme can stay in the UK for up to 3 years via a Visa.
Local Authorities are responsible for support such as:
- Registering children with local schools
- Accessing Health and Care support services
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
- Giving advice and referring guests to mental health services and to specialist services if needed
- Advising on how to access local Jobcentre Plus services and explaining what their role is
Find more information about sponsorship on the Government website
View our support information in our information area
Ukraine Extension Scheme (UES)
On 29 March 2022 the Ukraine Extension Scheme was announced to Parliament. Part of a series of changes to the Immigration Rules. This became one of the 3 Ukraine schemes, alongside the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
The Ukraine Extension Scheme enables Ukrainian nationals already in the UK with permission by 18 March 2022. Or where they held permission which expired on or after 1 January 2022, to continue their stay in the UK.
The scheme began on 3 May 2022. Eligibility for the scheme has now been extended to those who held immigration permission by 16 May 2023.
Applicants to the Ukraine Extension Scheme must be Ukrainian nationals. Or, the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national to qualify.
Successful applicants will be able to;
- live
- work
- and study
in the UK and access public funds.
Permission to stay in the UK is for a maximum of 3 years.
Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS)
The Ukraine Family Scheme launched on 4 March 2022, and allows applicants to join family members, or extend their stay, in the UK.
Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member. This scheme is not open to all Ukrainian nationals leaving Ukraine. It is only available to those Ukrainians (and immediate family members) that are: family members of British nationals, settled persons and others in the UK.
Successful applicants will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds. Permission to stay in the UK is for a maximum of 3 years.
Asylum Cases
As of December 2022, across the UK there were at least 37,000 asylum seekers in hotel accommodation. It is now estimated this figure could be closer to 100,000 across the UK.
Types of accommodation
The government are currently using emergency hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
Following on from emergency accommodation is Intermediate Accommodation (IA). Which is where a hotel has been recognised by the Home Office as having a longer-term function.
There is no funding provided to Local Authorities under either emergency or IA arrangements.
Dispersal accommodation
Dispersal accommodation is longer-term temporary accommodation.
People within this accommodation type should receive a monthly welfare check from a Home Office commissioned provider. Asylum seekers will normally be able to stay in dispersal accommodation until their asylum claim has been fully determined.
When an asylum claim (including any appeals) has been fully determined, asylum seekers will need to leave asylum accommodation. Home Office support will also stop. If granted leave to remain, they will be eligible to:
- work
- claim mainstream benefits
- look for housing
and get help with these in the same ways as other UK residents.
Bridging accommodation
‘Bridging accommodation’ includes all accommodation procured by the Home Office for the purpose of providing temporary accommodation. This is for those brought over to the UK as a result of events in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
Bridging accommodation is not intended to be a permanent housing solution. It is provided as a safe interim solution whilst the Home Office work with delivery partners to support families in becoming self-sufficient, and able to resettle in communities.
Refugees from Afghanistan
After the withdrawal from Afghanistan of British and US armed forces and the Taliban’s ascent to power in the summer of 2021, the number of forcibly displaced Afghans rose steeply.
The UN estimates that from 1 January to 20 October 2021, 677,000 people were newly displaced inside Afghanistan.
In response to this crisis, the UK government announced programmes to resettle Afghan refugees in the UK.
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
On 1 April 2021 The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) launched.
This offers relocation or other assistance to those who served alongside our armed forces in Afghanistan. They will have provided important support to HM government defence and security missions. Predominantly those who were;
- employed directly
- or in certain special cases via contractors,
- and who are assessed to be at serious risk as a result of such work
It is available to people regardless of;
- rank
- role
- or length of time served
and builds on the long-standing support already available.
The policy provides for the principal applicant to bring their close family members (spouse and under 18 children) to the UK. It significantly expands the eligibility criteria from the previous scheme.
Other family members may be eligible in exceptional circumstances.
Local Authorities can receive funding to provide 3 years of support, and must;
- provide casework support,
- facilitate a minimum of 8 hours per week English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for 12 months to all adults resettled via this scheme
Afghan Relocation and Assistance policy details
Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (including eligible British Nationals under this scheme) (ACRS)
ACRS scheme will provide up to 20,000 women, children and others at risk with a safe and legal route to settle in the UK.
It will prioritise those who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for UK values such as;
- democracy
- women’s rights
- freedom of speech and rule of law
- vulnerable people such as women and girls at risk
- members of minority groups (including ethnic / religious minorities and LGBTQ+).
The Scheme is not application-based.
Instead, eligible individuals will be prioritised onto the Scheme through one of three referral pathways.
“Eligible British Nationals” are those who:
a) were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK military, other NATO countries or regional state during Operation PITTING
or
b) were assisted by HMG to leave Afghanistan after Operation PITTING, with this assistance commencing before 6 January 2022.
- Spouses
- partners
- and dependent children under the age of 18 of identified eligible individuals will be eligible for the scheme.
Other family members may be eligible in exceptional circumstances.
Unaccompanied children may be offered resettlement under the ACRS where it is determined that resettlement to the UK is;
- in their best interests
- and they have been identified as eligible for the scheme.
Local Authorities can receive funding to provide 3 years of support. They must provide:
- casework support, and
- facilitate a minimum of 8 hours per week English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for 12 months to all adults resettled via this scheme
Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme policy details
Hong Kong Nationals Scheme
An immigration route opened on 31 January 2021. This provided British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders from Hong Kong and their eligible dependants with the opportunity to come to the UK to;
- live
- study
- and work
on a pathway to citizenship.
This route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up British National Overseas status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
Applicants can apply to stay in the UK for either 2.5 years or 5 years.
Why is the government providing funding for a BN(O) UK Welcome Programme?
Previous programmes run by Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have demonstrated the importance of putting in place a support package for new migrants. This enables them to settle into their new communities more effectively.
Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities is also currently undertaking work to support those from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
If new migrants can
- integrate with the settled community
- speak English
- use services
- and be economically active
this significantly reduces pressures on local services. Including housing where people are at risk of destitution. It also minimises negative impacts on community cohesion.