The Welsh Government is going to pause its super-sponsor scheme for Ukrainian refugees. So far 480 people have arrived in the UK or Wales through the scheme. A total of 2,866 have applied to come through the scheme.
When the war broke out the Welsh Government said it would sponsor 1,000 people and provide them with accommodation, support, and care in Wales. It also removes the need for applicants to be matched to a named person before they are cleared to travel to the UK through the visa system.
Welcome centres have been set up across Wales. The Urdd is involved as are hotels and university accommodation. The idea is arrivals go to those and are then moved onto medium- and longer-term accommodation. The welcome centres have capacity for up to 750 bed spaces.
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The Welsh Government has said it will pause applications from this week and re-evaluate at the end of June how, and if, to resume the scheme but the hope is that it will come back in. The scheme where individuals can sponsor refugees will continue.
The vast majority of those coming to Wales are arriving via English ports and airports and once a visa has been granted they are free to travel. It means not all those who have been granted visas are in Wales or the UK and if all the requirements have been completed the visa is valid for three years. No exact figures are available for how many people are in Wales but the Welsh Government say they expect the majority of those who have had visas are here. Some of those who have been granted visas are waiting for other family members or friends to be given them or are waiting to try save money before arriving.
No figures are available for how many people have moved from the welcome centre to permanent accommodation but it has been confirmed that the number of applications is increasing. The expectation had been a rush of people when the scheme first opened but the flow has taken longer and the numbers continue to grow.
The break in applications will, the Welsh Government say, mean they can look at how many spaces in welcome centres are needed and whether any of those currently being used can be returned to their usual use. Only the Welsh and Scottish Governments operated the super-sponsor scheme and the Scottish Government has no plans to pause its scheme.
Minister for social justice Jane Hutt said: "From the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict our message has been clear – Wales is a nation of sanctuary and ready to welcome those fleeing war. Launched at the end of March, we have had a very positive response to our homes for Ukraine super-sponsor route. We have seen visas granted well in excess of our initial commitment to welcome people.
"This temporary pause will give us the opportunity to refine the arrangements we have put in place to support people on arrival and ensure all public services, in particular local authorities, can continue to deliver a high standard of support. To be clear this operational pause will not affect any current applications and people will continue to arrive in Wales as visas are granted and travel arrangements are confirmed."
Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies MS, said: "I am deeply disappointed that the Labour Government have paused their Super Sponsor scheme for Ukrainian refugees. Welsh Conservatives welcomed this scheme when it began, with people in Wales opening their hearts and homes to those fleeing Ukraine. With the situation in parts of Ukraine continuing to deteriorate, it is of the utmost importance that this scheme continues.
"No matter how they spin it, this is a failure. The scheme was introduced with much fanfare in April, and it’s only taken 8 weeks for Labour Ministers to backtrack. Ukrainian refugees need support, and Welsh Conservatives want to see the scheme back up and running."
