 suggested as many as a quarter were considering ending the arrangement because of concerns over rises in the cost of living. More than 1,000 families and individuals who arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have so far presented as homeless. Councils and officials at the Levelling Up department have warned that cutting the funds for the programme could be counterproductive as homeless Ukrainian refugees would have to be found accommodation by councils at greater expense than if they remained in families' homes. Families offered extra payments Sources close to both Mr Hunt and Mr Gove said it was a 'live' discussion. One Treasury source suggested any cuts might be restricted only to new arrivals. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have so far arrived under the scheme Many families are coming up to the six months initially agreed although the funding was committed beyond that. Although the Ukrainians are entitled to benefits and can work, meaning the main UK family costs are energy bills, it reduces the options for them to rent out rooms.){kind=link}
Councils say cutting funds could be counterproductive as accommodation would need to be found at a greater expense
Jeremy Hunt is pushing to slash funding for the homes for Ukrainian refugees scheme in a battle with Michael Gove.
The Chancellor is eyeing plans to reduce the £10,500 that councils receive for “wrap-around” services for refugees hosted by British families and time-limit the £350 that host households get every month.
However, it is understood that the move is being resisted by Mr Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, who believes the UK should do more for hard-pressed families who have opened up their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s illegal war.
It is thought that he backs a proposal by Lord Harrington, the former refugees minister, who called for a doubling in the £350 a month to support families hit by the cost of living crisis and so avoid a surge in Ukrainian refugees made homeless as a consequence.