Boris Johnson has apparently rejected Nicola Sturgeon’s proposals for Scotland to be a “super sponsor” of Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman appeared to rule out the joint proposal from the Scottish and Welsh First Ministers to house 3,000 refugees in temporary accommodation before matching them to individual households.
Refugee charities and the First Minister fear the scheme requiring families to match themselves to refugees before they enter the UK will prove cumbersome and bureaucratic.
On Sunday, Sturgeon said the Scottish government stood ready to take 3,000 refugees immediately and match them to families later.
But ahead of details being announced in the Commons on Monday Downing Street signalled the idea was a non-starter.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “Our approach requires people to be matched prior to coming into the country, we’re not seeking to change that as far as I am aware."
“We will obviously expect all parts of the United Kingdom to do their bit. We’ve got two schemes now and Michael Gove will be setting out details of sponsorship later today.”
Under the sponsorship scheme potential UK host families can register an interest in offering accommodation to refugees for a minimum of six months.
They must then match themselves to a Ukrainian seeking sanctuary through online or charitable connections and apply for sponsorship.
The UK Government hopes tens of thousands of displaced people will benefit from the Homes for Ukraine refugee scheme.
But critics say it will be too slow after the UK Home Office issued only 4,000 family visas for Ukrainians with family connections to the UK since the conflict began over two weeks ago.
Downing Street has indicated that the Prime Minister will not be taking in any Ukrainian refugees in No 10.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was down to individual ministers whether they chose to give accommodation to a refugee.
“There are specific challenges around security on housing people in No 10,” the spokesman said.
In contrast, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said he and his family will be applying to host Ukrainian refugees under the scheme.
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