The ‘Homes for Ukraine Scheme’ which has seen the involvement of many evangelicals is marking its first anniversary.
In a report written by Dr Krish Kandiah (see en interview December 2022) summarising the last 12 months, he writes that the initiative has helped 117,100 people – mostly women and children – find sanctuary in the UK.
He says that 99% of the refugees (one pictured) report ‘feeling grateful’ to be here in the country, and estimates the initiative has saved tax payers more than £4.4 billion as the government has needed to spend less of its own cash to help those fleeing the war, as would have been the case had the scheme not existed.
• Separately, speaking to en, Kandiah has voiced dismay at the government’s proposed legislation on asylum seekers. He said: ‘The UK’s response to Ukrainians fleeing war shows that we are a compassionate and welcoming nation, with individuals, families and communities willing to work at scale and pace to go the extra mile to help those in need.
The government’s new Bill is at odds with that. It seems to remove Britain from its legal and moral obligations to offer asylum to those who really need it.’
