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Ukrainians in Caerphilly have voiced concerns over by-election campaign “misinformation” regarding the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary scheme.

While immigration policy is reserved to the UK Government, the Welsh Government controls the support services for those who arrive – such as language lessons, housing help and integration programmes – through its Nation of Sanctuary policy.

This policy has cost £55 million since it was introduced in 2019 – with around 85% of that money going towards supporting Ukrainian refugees who have resettled in Wales following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of their country.

In a campaign leaflet sent to residents, Reform UK claimed the policy “give preferential treatment to asylum seekers” – despite the fact the vast majority of those supported by the scheme are refugees, not asylum seekers.

Yuliia Bond, who moved to Caerphilly following the Russian invasion in 2022, has described claims made about the scheme in a Reform UK party leaflet as “simply untrue” – with an official complaint being made to by-election returning officer Richard Edmunds.

In an open letter, Ms Bond, who works for the Welsh Refugee Council, said: “We came to Wales because it stood for truth, fairness, and kindness – the values that gave us hope when we had lost everything. Wales opened its homes and hearts to us. People here didn’t just give us shelter, they gave us dignity and a future. We will always be grateful for that.

“But that’s why what’s happening now feels so wrong. Across Caerphilly, thousands of homes have been given leaflets full of false claims – designed to turn kind neighbours against people who have done nothing wrong except seek safety.

“Those lies don’t just mislead voters; they divide communities and poison trust. Yet no authority seems willing to act: when those responsible face no consequences, it sends a terrible message — that truth no longer matters in politics.”

When asked by Caerphilly Observer if he regretted potentially damaging the relationship with Caerphilly’s Ukrainain community, Reform candidate Llŷr Powell denied that damage had been caused and said: “No, it’s the wasteful spending. The people I hold responsible are not the community at large, it’s the Cardiff Bay politicians.

“If anyone tries to spin that otherwise, that’s a low blow where they’re trying to scrape the gutter because they’re unhappy that I’m trying to highlight waste.”

He added: “I haven’t gone after Ukrainians in any sort, I’ve highlighted waste.

“If I highlight waste in another area, I’m not attacking a certain person, I’m attacking policy, spending commitments.

“I haven’t targeted anyone, I haven’t put out any literature that is untrue.”

Mr Powell also called the Nation of Sanctuary a “vanity project” and claimed £850,000 had been spent on staffing costs.

Caerphilly’s by-election candidates

• Welsh Liberal Democrats – Steve Aicheler
• Gwlad – Anthony Cook
• Wales Green Party – Gareth Hughes
• Welsh Conservatives – Gareth Potter
• Reform UK – Llŷr Powell
• UKIP – Roger Quilliam
• Richard Tunnicliffe – Labour
• Lindsay Whittle – Plaid Cymru