HOSTS and guests under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme will receive an early Christmas gift by way of extra one-off payments.

Councillor Rob Humby, leader of Hampshire County Council, has announced the authority will be giving £250 to the region's hosts, and £200 per Ukrainian guest to support them over the holiday period. 

Cllr Humby said: “This Christmas will undoubtedly be a very challenging time for many, with the additional pressures presented by the cost of living crisis. 

"We are very mindful of the extra challenges faced by Hampshire residents who have opened their homes to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and are pleased to be able to offer these additional payments, from dedicated budgets, to support with costs. In this way, we very much hope, as far as we are able to, that our Ukrainian guests’ first Christmas in this country is a happy and peaceful one.”

READ MORE: Hampshire to increase monthly payments by £200 to Winchester residents hosting Ukrainian refugees

He added: “We remain hugely grateful to the local hosts who continue to provide a safe haven for more than 1,300 Ukrainian families across our county.”

The new payments will be distributed in mid-December and will be funded via the grant paid to upper-tier local authorities to specifically support the implementation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme locally. This funding is ring-fenced and cannot be used for any other purpose.

The new payments are in addition to the extra £200 discretionary payment being paid per month over a five-month period to local hosts by Hampshire County Council.

The Government currently sets payments nationally at £350 per month per accommodation for hosts and a single £200 for each guest.

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

Winchester City Councillor John Tippett-Cooper said: "These Christmas payments to Homes for Ukraine hosts and guests will definitely be welcomed. The funds to make these payments will have come from the £10,500 per Ukrainian refugee paid to Hampshire County Council.

"It is important this money is put to effective use to support hosts with the rising costs of supporting a guest family but also is used for long-term planning, for example, to support Ukrainian guests into independent accommodation. I have asked whether the money being provided to guests will be given to those who have since moved onto independent accommodation.

"Our Ukrainian community has settled into the district really well - finding friends, work, education and sanctuary from a war inflicted on their country.

"The Homes for Ukraine scheme is not perfect but shows that there is a far more compassionate, practical and effective way of supporting refugees than the utterly horrendous way the Home Office treats many other adults and children seeking sanctuary in the UK.”