Cole-Hamilton: 6,200 Ukrainians still in temporary accommodation shows glacial pace

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on the Scottish Government to accelerate the process for moving Ukrainian refugees out of temporary accommodation and into longer term options after new statistics showed there are around 6,200 Ukrainians living in hotels and cruise ships.    

The Scottish Government figures reveal that there were around 6,200 Ukrainian refugees in temporary accommodation last week. This represents a marginal decrease of just 2% since last month, when there were around 6,323 Ukrainians in temporary accommodation.  

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:    

“We are seeing only marginal month-on-month progress in the number of people who have moved on from hotels and cruise ships and settled into longer term options.  As the war rages on and more Ukrainians look set to come to Scotland in hope of a better life, this glacial pace isn’t sustainable.

“People need to know what comes next once their short-term arrangements end. They cannot be left in limbo, living out of suitcases and worried about where and when the next roof will be.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for a series of measures to improve the Ukraine scheme. The Scottish Government must extend bus passes to refugees, boost support for local authorities in vetting hosts, provide comprehensive language support and identify the skills of those arriving as early as possible to match people with job opportunities.  

“On the eve of this dreadful war’s one-year anniversary, the government need to back up the collective generosity of the Scots who have shown the warmest of welcomes to our Ukrainian friends.”