FEWER than five visas have been issued for Ukrainian refugees to stay with Copeland residents, new figures show.

Provisional data from the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows that fewer than five visas had been issued for refugees staying with hosts based in Copeland as of Wednesday, April 6.

They were among the 12,500 sponsorship visas issued nationally by Thursday, April 7, though just 1,200 refugees – less than 10 per cent – had arrived in the UK through the scheme by April 5 – the latest point at which data on arrivals is available.

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, was announced in February by the UK Government, allowing citizens to volunteer to house refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Sponsors agree to offer accommodation for at least six months, with those receiving sponsorship allowed to live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.

However, in other areas of the county numbers of visas granted are higher.

Provisional data from the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows that 19 visas had been issued for refugees staying with hosts based in Allerdale as of Wednesday

The provisional data also shows that 11 visas had been issued for refugee's in the Carlisle area.