Highland Council convener praises for efforts to help refugees from Ukraine
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More than 400 Ukrainian refugees are currently living in Highland hotels, including Inverness, Strathpeffer and Aviemore.
The council has also welcomed 180 Ukrainian children and young people to its schools.
However, Highland councillors have been told the current support measures for Ukraine are ‘unsustainable’.
The council wants the Scottish Government to provide more information about future funding.
Having previously rehomed Syrian and Afghan refugees, the Highlands offered a warm welcome to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Councillors have commended the work of officers and teams working across the organisation for their collaborative efforts in supporting Ukrainian refugees who are seeking sanctuary.
In recognition of the need to maintain this level of support and financially prepare for any additional arrivals into Highland over the coming months, councillors agreed a recommendation to submit a letter to Scottish Government for additional funding to alleviate a projected in-year budget pressure to the council of at least £41,000.
More than 180 refugees are in three hotels in Inverness, including Craigmonie Hotel.
Council convener Bill Lobban said: “We recognise the hurdles and challenging timescales which have been involved in this particular resettlement programme and the additional role of Highland’s unique geography. Thankfully, within the organisation, we have a strong track record in supporting refugees and have well-established structures which we have been able to build upon to support refugees and migrants.
“Following today’s agreement, we will now be writing to Scottish Government ministers seeking confirmation of the future funding arrangements to ensure we have resource earmarked for the continuation of this vital lifeline of support.”
The council’s housing and property committee chairwoman Glynis Sinclair said: “Many of those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine have experienced a great deal of emotional trauma and the council’s role in providing assistance and access to education, healthcare and welfare support has, and continues to, play a key role in helping those individuals begin the journey in rebuilding their lives here in Highland.”
More than 9000 Ukrainians are now living in Scotland, and the Scottish Government has issued 21,000 visas.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme had a flood of applications, with 86 Highland properties matched to 205 guests.
The Scottish Super Sponsorship Scheme aimed to make it easier for Ukrainians to get their UK visas, by removing the requirement to be matched with a private host before travelling. In the Highlands, 672 hosts expressed an interest in helping. However, the Scottish Government has since suspended the scheme to alleviate pressure on councils and ensure that displaced people have the right support.
