Top up payments for Ukrainian hosts in North Devon

Households in the area to receive £425

People hosting Ukrainian families in North Devon are to get cash from the council now government funding has reduced by nearly a third.

Monthly payments dropped from £500 to £350 last week, because of the pressure on public finances.

The government says the move is also intended to support the transition to a scheme which allows Ukrainian refugees to stay for another 18 months once their three-year visa runs out.

But North Devon Council is to pay each host an additional £75 a month for the next 12 months.

The council’s chief executive Ken Miles told the strategy and resources meeting this week the drop in government funding may result in host families ceasing their support.

“The people they are hosting would then turn to us and our homelessness provision,” he said. “It’s much better for us to pay that £75 and reduce the potential demand on the homelessness service.”

He praised the “stoic” work of the hosts.

Cllr Helen Walker (Lib Dem, Bickington), a host herself, thanked the council for “a very sensible upgrade”.

“That help is appreciated” she said.

Cllr Peter Leaver (Lib Dem, Barnstaple with Westacott) said it seemed like a “penny pinching policy” by the government.

Councils also receive government funding to support Ukrainian families and their sponsors. Currently £5,900 per person goes into a refugee resettlement fund.

North Devon will use some of this to meet the top-up payments.

More than 2,300 Ukrainians had come to Devon under the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Devon by last November. Currently 63 Ukrainian people are in the district under the scheme.