Britain to cut payments to Ukrainian refugee sponsors by 70%

The United Kingdom will reduce funding for the Homes for Ukraine scheme: monthly payments to families hosting Ukrainian refugees will fall from £350 to £100.

This was reported by The Guardian.

The changes will also affect contributions to local authorities to cover the costs of the programme — these will be cut from £5,900 to £3,300. The new terms are due to take effect on 1 January 2027.

As an alternative, British authorities are offering host families the option of becoming landlords and charging refugees rent. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government explained that the changes are linked to the transformation of the programme from an emergency response mechanism into a more established system.

“The UK’s commitment to supporting Ukrainians remains steadfast, and the Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open. These changes are designed to ensure the long-term future of the scheme while continuing to support sponsors, guests and councils,” a department spokesperson said.

Ukrainians and their host families are concerned about the upcoming changes. For many refugees — particularly elderly people and those with health problems — the loss of free accommodation creates a risk of homelessness, as they are unable to pay rent on their own.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Since then it has supported 181,000 of the 234,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in the United Kingdom. In total, the British government has directed more than £1.81 billion to the initiative.

Meanwhile, conditions for Ukrainian refugees are also changing in other European countries. The number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in Poland has fallen by around 40,000 people. Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, explained that Ukrainians are losing their PESEL UKR status due to changes in Polish legislation — in particular, the transition to the CUKR card — and a generally unfavourable atmosphere, though this does not mean they are automatically leaving the country.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Ukrainian women in the EU are advised to have proof of border crossing. Official stamps or a certificate from the State Tax Service of Ukraine are necessary to avoid being required to provide additional documents, including military registration documents, when initially applying for temporary protection in EU countries.