Multiple Ukrainian refugee households have faced homelessness after arriving in Carlisle, according to new figures.

Ukrainians fleeing the conflict with Russia can apply for a visa to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

The Family Scheme allows Ukrainian nationals to stay with relatives already living in the UK, and the Sponsorship Scheme, also known as 'Homes for Ukraine' allows individuals to host refugees for a minimum of six months.

But the schemes have been beset with delays to processing visas and some have warned of safeguarding issues and mismatches between hosts and refugees.

In Carlisle, 104 visas had been issued by this point, and 68 refugees due to stay with sponsors in the area had arrived in the UK.

READ MORE: More visas approved for Ukrainian refugees in Carlisle

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “All arrivals have access to benefits and public services, as well as the right to work or study, from the day they arrive.

“The overwhelming majority of people are settling in well but in the minority of cases where family or sponsor relationships break down, councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their head."