Cole-Hamilton responds to Red Cross warnings over Ukrainian refugees left in limbo

Liberal leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ukrainian President Zelensky – more help required for refugees from Ukraine.

By Lucy Ashton

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the Scottish Government to urgently issue a call for more families to host Ukrainian refugees.

He wants them to give councils the resources to check and match homes quicker and take steps to ensure that those at risk of homelessness are monitored and supported, as a new report from the Red Cross marking a year on from the launch of the Scottish Government’s Super Sponsorship Scheme.

The report highlights that at the end of 2022 more than 4,400 people were staying in hotel rooms, more than 2,400 were on two chartered passenger liners and at least 310 were reporting as homeless.

Rob Murray, British Red Cross Director for Scotland has also warned “there’s a real risk of families becoming homeless or spending long periods of time in inappropriate accommodation. This is creating stress and uncertainty for people already dealing with the emotional impact of the conflict.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  “When Russian soldiers, tanks and instruments of war rolled into the sovereign territory of Ukraine our world changed.

“I was full of admiration for the ambition of the Scottish Government’s super sponsorship scheme and the warmth and hospitality that so many Scots have shown to those fleeing war.

“Sadly this report shows that a year on, the door has been shut on the super sponsor scheme and many of those who have made it to our shores find themselves stuck in hotel rooms and on cruise ships.

“I want to see the Scottish Government launch a fresh hunt for more hosts, give councils the resources to check and match homes quicker and take steps to ensure that those at risk of homelessness are monitored and supported.”