Hundreds of Ukrainians stuck in Scottish hotels

About 500 Ukrainians are still living in hotels a month after arriving in Scotland, MSPs have heard.

Yevhen Mankovskyi, the Ukrainian consul general in Edinburgh, said he did not understand what was causing a "block" to stop those arriving in Scotland being matched with hosts.

He asked if Scottish government staff could visit those still in hotels.

The consul general said he understands Edinburgh is "full" and Ukrainians are being moved elsewhere in Scotland.

He told Holyrood's Europe committee: "Approximately 500 people throughout Scotland live in hotels for more than one month. Unfortunately, we don't have direct numbers.

"We don't understand where is the problem of matching the host family and Ukrainians who are already here."

Mr Mankovskyi said he did not consider those arriving in Scotland to be refugees, but instead Ukrainians who have received "temporary protection status" who will one day return home.

Neil Gray, the Scottish government minister with special responsibility for Ukrainian refugees, also appeared before the committee.

He said: "I don't want to see people in hotel rooms for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

"We're working with local authorities to build capacity with the matching service."

The minister vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in making sure the matching service was working as quickly as possible.

He added that he had recently visited a refugee centre in Poland - where many Ukrainians have fled - and that this had made him more determined to help.

He said: "People there are doing their best. But seeing the difficult situation has given me even greater determination to do all we can."

What is the super sponsor scheme?

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the UK government announced its Homes for Ukraine scheme - which allowed members of the public to host refugees.

Initially, the UK scheme was only open to applicants who knew a named individual from Ukraine who they wanted to help.

But it was expanded to allow Ukrainians to name the Scottish government as their sponsor - meaning the government would be responsible for setting them up with a place to stay as well as education and childcare.

Temporary accommodation - including in hotels - was to be used until a longer-term place with a host could be found.

A similar scheme was set up by the Welsh government.

Hundreds of Ukrainians stuck in Scottish hotels

What is the super sponsor scheme?

Russians dying for Putin’s ambitions

Explosion rocks Sikh temple in Kabul

Soldier shot dead amid DR Congo

Protests over India contract soldiers plan intensify

Hundreds of Ukrainians stuck in Scottish hotels

dffghhg

https://yachay.unat.edu.pe/blog/index.php?comment_area=format_blog&comment_component=blog&comment_co

linux以太網驅動總結