CRUISE ships and hotels are not appropriate accommodation for Ukrainian refugees staying in Scotland, a report has warned.
The British Red Cross study said many have been living in “windowless” cabins without any clear indication of when they will be moved to more permanent accommodation.
The report also warned Ukrainian families are at risk of homelessness, with cost-of-living pressures and barriers to securing private accommodation playing a major part.
Although the Scottish Government doesn’t currently monitor Ukrainian refugees at risk of homelessness, it has been reported at least 310 people are seeking homelessness support from councils in Scotland.
The Super Sponsor Scheme, which allowed Ukrainians to select the Scottish Government as their sponsor and receive a visa to travel to Scotland immediately, had high numbers of applications but the charity has warned that the scheme does not have the infrastructure required to meet demand.
More than 23,000 arrivals have reached Scotland as of February 7, 2023, with around 6800 Ukrainians still living in temporary "welcome accommodation" in Scotland, including more than 4400 living in hotel rooms and 2400 living on chartered cruise liners in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Rob Murray, British Red Cross director for Scotland, said the Super Sponsor Scheme should be celebrated.
“But one year on, too many Ukrainians are still living in limbo, unable to properly settle in Scotland because they’re staying on ships and in hotel rooms," Murray said.
"We're worried there’s a real risk of families becoming homeless or spending long periods of time in inappropriate accommodation. This is creating stress and uncertainty for people already dealing with the emotional impact of the conflict.”
There are plans to move people from the Glasgow cruise ship by March 31, but the contract for the Edinburgh ship has been extended until the end of June.
One of the largest providers of refugee services in the UK, the British Red Cross called on the Scottish Government to ensure refugees are accommodated in communities, providing more opportunities for them to integrate into neighbourhoods and rebuild their lives.
Neil Gray, Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine, said: “The pace and numbers of people who have arrived in Scotland is unprecedented and compares, for example, to the 3,000 people who arrived over five years through the Syrian resettlement scheme.
“We are proud of the warm Scottish welcome we’ve been able to extend to them assisted by the voluntary sector and local authorities across the country.
“The Scottish Government is working intensively with local authorities to match people into longer-term accommodation and our priority is to ensure safe and sustainable accommodation can be provided. Our Longer Term Resettlement Fund is making up to £50 million available to bring empty and void council and Registered Social Landlord properties into use to increase the housing supply.
“Scottish Government officials have worked closely with the British Red Cross throughout the Ukraine crisis to support and welcome displaced people coming to Scotland. The Red Cross are established resilience partners, who regularly offer volunteers to local authorities and other responders, wherever additional third sector support is needed.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel