Ministers have launched a 'Homes for Ukraine' website for Brits wanting to register to house refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove, announcing the scheme, said the UK has a "long and proud history of supporting the most vulnerable during their darkest hours".
People who wish to offer a rent-free space in their home to a Ukrainian refugee, for at least six months, can register their interest from here.
Households will be paid £350 a month, tax free, per residential address.
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Mr Gove said: "The British people have already opened their hearts in so many ways, I’m hopeful that many will also be ready to open their homes and to help those fleeing persecution find peace, healing and the prospect of a brighter future.”
Newcastle MP Catherine McKinnell raised concerns over the levels of bureaucracy involved however, she said: "Many constituents that have contacted me have come to their own view on this – that the bureaucratic complexity and apparent indifference to the suffering of Ukrainian refugees is entirely consistent with the Government’s overarching migration and asylum policy, where anyone hoping to enter the UK is met with a system that is grudging, inefficient, and designed to keep them out.
"One constituent contacted me seeking support to bring his family to the UK. After many anxious hours and days, his family managed to progress their case.
"But he sent me a message saying 'I am ashamed at the way this current government is treating Ukrainian refugees' and that whilst they eventually managed to obtain support 'there will be many who don’t have the ability to receive that help'.
"Another constituent added 'I weep when I see elderly people queuing in sub zero temperatures outside well heated offices which they have had to travel extra distances after their exhausting flight from bombs and war'.
"Others have described the response from our Government as 'woeful', 'inhumane' and 'overly bureaucratic'."
Mr Gove said the Government has already made changes to simplify the scheme, adding: “We are moving as quickly as possible in order to ensure – working with NGOs and local government – that individuals in need can be found the families and sponsors whom they need in order to get people into this country as quickly as possible.”
Mr Gove said he was speaking to people in local government 10 days ago about the scheme, telling MPs additional funding is available to local authorities for school places and care.
