BRITS putting up Ukrainian refugees in their homes should have their government thank-you payments doubled, the minister in charge has demanded.
Lord Richard Harrington urged the Treasury to start paying hosts £700 per month rather than the current £350 sum.
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He said many host families would be struggling with the cost of living and should not suffer because of their generosity.
He told the Times that while lots of households live in “leafy suburbs in the south of England, a lot of wonderful people have given up their homes in quite deprived areas of the UK.
“I’m hoping that if I get this increase from the Treasury, it’ll encourage people to renew and will help compensate them for the increased costs that they’ve got.”
Doubling the thank-you payments would cost the Chancellor around £17million and officials poured cold water on it happening any time soon.
A worrying survey showed around 6,000 hosts would not be carrying on with the scheme – which could throw 19,000 Ukrainians into the lurch.
Lord Harrington also urged Nadhim Zahawi to pump more investment in funding English lessons so refugees can get jobs here more easily.
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Some 81,700 Ukrainians have so far fled Mad Vlad’s horrific invasion for Britain to live with 25,000 UK hosts.
A Treasury spokesman said: “The government cares deeply about helping those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, and that is why we announced two new visa schemes to welcome Ukrainian refugees to the UK.”
