THERE will be an ‘expectation’ for Warrington Borough Council to provide support to ensure Ukrainians in the town can access alternative accommodation when the current arrangements come to an end.

Leader Cllr Russ Bowden, Labour, has issued a response to a question at the full council meeting on October 11 which asked him to provide an update on the ‘Ukrainian guests situation’ in the borough, particularly with regard to ‘council pressures, the Government’s cost of living crisis and plans for when the initial six months funding support comes to an end’.

He stated that officers are working ‘at pace’ to try to determine what the position will be when the current hosting arrangements reach the six-month stage.

Cllr Bowden said: “So far, 11 of the 78 hosts have indicated an intention to end their arrangement, this means that there will be an expectation for the council to provide support to access alternative accommodation.

“The council will do all it can to support guests and officers are exploring all possible options. Members will be aware of the housing pressures in the town, there is a lack of social housing with lengthy waiting times compelled by a lack of affordable housing in the private rented sector, the market is buoyant so there is little room for negotiation on rental rates.

“The issues are not unique to Warrington and there are no easy solutions, we also need to ensure we are balanced and fair in our approach to support all vulnerable communities in the town.”

Cllr Bowden also said that recent media coverage demonstrates the ‘scale of the problem’ being faced nationally with supporting Ukrainian guests.

He said: "Funding for guests does not cease, guests have full recourse to public funds and were able to work or access benefits as soon as they arrived in the UK, there is support in place from colleagues at DWP and from officers who attend the hubs to ensure guests access the right level of financial support."

Cllr Bowden says the '£350 thank you payment' from Government to hosts does end at the point the hosting arrangement ceases, as this is part of the conditions of the Government scheme.

He added: "Whether this payment will be increased to reflect the cost of living crisis and to incentivise hosts to continue with the arrangement will be a decision for Government."