Just under a dozen visas have been issued for Ukrainian refugees coming to stay with Carlisle residents. 

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, was announced in February by the Government, which allowed for UK citizens to volunteer to house refugees fleeing the on-going crisis in Ukraine. 

New data from the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities indicate that 11 visas had been issued to Ukrainians staying with Carlisle hosts as of April, 6. 

Sponsored homes have agreed 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.

Those offering accommodation have been vetted and willing homes will receive £350 per month as a "thank you". 

READ MORE: Ukrainian 'grateful' for British generosity but Government 'could make it easier'

As of April, 7, 12,500 sponsored visas had been issued for across the UK, despite that however, by April 7, only 10 per cent had arrived in the country. 

Five visas have been issued for Copeland residents to host Ukranian families.

Many others have received visas through the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows Ukrainian nationals to join family members living in the country, and through both schemes, the UK has granted 40,900 visas out of the 80,000 visa applications they have received. 

Chairperson of Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG), James Cartwright, said: "I'm very impressed with the community's generosity - backing up their words with actions by kindly offering to share their homes with those in need. 

"We're impressed also with the way host families have worked together online to share information and advice, navigating a hurriedly put-together and fairly opaque government scheme.

READ MORE: Five years since Carlisle Refugee Action Group welcomed first refugee families

"CRAG will welcome Ukrainian families arriving in Cumbria through events with other organisations and aim to support our new neighbours however we can," he said. 

The Home Office acknowledged that some people have been waiting nearly three weeks for their application to be processed, but said that it is working to speed up the process.

 

 

READ MORE: Less than five visa's issued for Ukrainian refugee's to stay with families in borough