Ukraine ‘super sponsor’ scheme to remain on hold

The Welsh Government’s ‘Super Sponsor’ scheme for Ukrainian refugees will remain on hold.

The scheme, which was launched in March, has so far seen more than 4,000 visas issued to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Welsh Government paused the scheme on June 10 and said the pause would remain in place throughout June.

Now, Wales’ Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, announced the pause would remain in place “while we continue to work with partners to help people from Ukraine transition from the welcome centres into longer-term accommodation in communities across Wales”.

Ms Hutt confirmed applications already made are still being processed and said the Welsh Government is “working very hard with local government colleagues to accommodate and support people from Ukraine as they arrive in Wales”

She confirmed new welcome centres are being set up for the refugees fleeing the war and continued: “We have now opened a sixth welcome centre and we are accommodating people in hotels and other types of accommodation across Wales”.

She said more welcome centres would be opening this month.

The minister also explained how it was “crucial” to ensure a “proper flow of people from our welcome centres to onward accommodation”.

She said details of households which have expressed an interest in hosting people from Ukraine had been shared with councils to identify suitable accommodation “as quickly as possible”.

In a statement issued to Senedd Members on Wednesday, July 6, Ms Hutt said: “When war broke out in Ukraine, we saw an overwhelming outpouring of support for people from Ukraine, with thousands of people coming forward to register their support to provide a home.

“We now need to ask the Welsh public and landlords to come forward to offer to host people from Ukraine. We will shortly be asking households and landlords to register their interest via our website.”

She also announced information sessions for potential hosts will be available “imminently” and encouraged people to donate to the Community Foundation Wales’ Nation of Sanctuary – Croeso Fund.

Ms Hutt added: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Wales and the offers of support for people in Ukraine.

“People continue to ask how they can support people from Ukraine. The most practical way to support people is financially, so they are able to make decisions for themselves. This gives people dignity.”