Homes for Ukraine - LGA on data and homelessness

THE Local Government Association, which represents Councils across England and Wales, gave evidence on support for Ukrainian refugees to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee on 30 March 2022. The LGA raised concerns about a lack of data being provided to Councils about those arriving under the Ukrainian Family Scheme or people who have registered to sponsor a Ukrainian individual/family through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The LGA also said the data being given to Councils around the Homes for Ukraine scheme was not complete. The LGA has also released details of its survey showing 57 Councils have seen homeless presentations by Ukrainians arriving in the UK under both schemes.

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the LGA, said:- "Councils recognise the tremendous humanitarian crisis and the very difficult situation facing millions of Ukrainians and will do all that they can support as many people as possible. Data is fundamentally important. Councils are not getting any data on who is arriving through the family scheme and that is a significant issue because most of the people who are coming at the moment are coming through the family scheme. We are also not getting any information on people who have volunteered to sponsor people, so we are not able to get ahead of the game on checks and support. We are getting data, reasonably timely, when the matching has taken place. But that data; if I am being generous; needs cleaning because there is duplication for example. It is also missing details. It is very clearly different if you are dealing with a mother with 2 10 year old children than a pregnant mother with a disabled child. We are not getting that contextual information on families and that is really important. If we knew where the sponsors were, we would have the opportunity to check the properties out before the families arrive and would meet the people offering accommodation. Any idea about the needs of new arrivals, particularly traumatisation, pregnancy, disability, will hopefully mean fewer breakdowns but also gives Councils an opportunity before they arrive to prepare. At the moment my understanding is the checks are being done after the visa has been issued. There may be a situation where someone arrives and 3 days later it is decided it is not suitable accommodation."

On homelessness presentations, Cllr Jamieson said:- "1 of the big issues we are worried about is people presenting as homeless. We believe there is an element of people presenting as homeless because they are coming to Ireland and then, with the free movement, able to come to the UK, so that maybe an element of the unknown."

New 'Really' series. Applications now open!

THE Casting Assistant Producer from Red Sky Productions, Kirsty, has contacted us about their exciting new TV series. Hosted by Amanda Lamb, Saved and Remade Workshop (working title) it will see a team of expert craftspeople take much loved, but unused objects, from members of the public and transform them into something completely different; giving them a new lease of life and a real purpose, changing these items into something that their owners will actually use!

She told us that:- "We're looking for people to take part in the new series and we'd love to hear from people in your area about the items they'd like to transform. We'd love to reach as many people as possible... The series will be filmed during May and June 2022 and applications are open until 2 May 2022. Anyone wishing to take part can get in touch and tell us about their much loved item and why they want to transform it into something new. The team can be contacted at:- Saved&Remade@RedskyProductions.Co.UK. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and live in the UK, this includes Northern Ireland."

CLA comments on BT's halt on removing landlines

BT has halted plans to replace landline phones with digital ones after the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) raised concerns about adverse impact on those living and working in rural areas. The controversial roll out, which saw copper landlines ripped out in favour of fibre optic cables, resulted in some customers being unable to call:- 999 during stormy weather earlier this year, including Storm Arwen at the end of last year.

Mark Tufnell, President of the Country Land and Business Association, said:- "We are pleased that BT has listened to our calls to scrap plans to remove traditional landlines from homes and businesses. With many areas still struggling to receive basic mobile and internet connectivity, landlines continue to be a lifeline for many people in isolated communities. The answer to this is simple. If BT wants to scrap landlines in the long term, it needs to ensure every single part of the country is fully connected Sadly, this aspiration feels a long way away for many rural communities. We call on BT to redouble their efforts to ensure full coverage for the nation, so that the social and economic benefits of modern technology can be felt in every village and every household."