Winchester and Romsey residents hosting Ukrainian guests as part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme are set to receive an extra £200 per month as part of a county-wide increase. 

Hampshire County Council's well-timed announcement comes after fears many people wouldn't be able to afford to extend their current six-month agreements due to inflation and the rising cost of living as winter approaches.

However, the boosted payments, which will last for the next five months, will now prove a reassuring lift to those who have opened their homes to Ukrainians - and those considering it.

Council leader, Councillor Rob Humby, said: “We have seen a hugely positive response from local residents to the plight of the Ukrainian people, with our county welcoming more than 1,100 families as part of the national settlement scheme.

"Government has set host payments at £350 per accommodation, but we want to go higher than this to reflect both the important contribution Hampshire hosts are making to this significant humanitarian effort, as well as the current challenges many may be facing, in terms of cost of living pressures – we feel this is the fair and right thing to do, particularly over the winter months.”   

The new payments will start in October and be funded via the grant paid to upper tier local authorities to support implementation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme locally.

Cllr Humby added: “County Council teams continue to work extremely hard, alongside Hampshire’s district and borough partner authorities, to ensure those who have arrived, and continue to arrive, receive the support they need.

"This includes welfare, wellbeing and accommodation checks, the provision of more than 600 school places, free three-month bus passes for arriving guests, as well as advice and assistance to help families connect into local communities and settle into UK life.

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"Collectively over the coming weeks, we will continue our close collaboration to explore further opportunities to support both guests and sponsors involved in the scheme.”

Winchester City Councillor John Tippett-Cooper was among those lobbying civic chiefs to increase the funds given to hosts.

He said: “The huge increases in cost of living, particularly in supporting an additional family, have been a concerning issue for many Winchester hosts under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"I am really pleased that Hampshire County Council have responded to calls to use the funds received under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to help host families in the County over the next few months. 

"These are very worrying times financially for many and this extra support will hopefully help ease some of the pressure on host families who have shown astonishing kindness and compassion supporting Ukrainian families who have fled the war in their country.”

The county of Hampshire has welcomed the third highest number of Ukrainian nationals in England.