What do the people of Birmingham think of the Homes for Ukraine Refugees Scheme?

As the refugee crisis in Europe deepens following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK Government have said they will offer £350 a month to those willing to provide shelter to those displaced.

The funding is part of the Homes for Ukraine Refugees scheme with UK now processing more than 4,000 visas for Ukrainian refugees. You can read about the programme to help Ukrainian refugees in Birmingham here.

BirminghamWorld took to the city centre streets to ask the people of Birmingham what they think, and if it’s something they’d consider doing themselves. You can see all the comments in the video at the top of our story. Here is a selection of what people said below.

Naveed says: “Personally, I’d love to take a Ukrainian refugee. However, my family would kill me and they wouldn’t allow it.

“I’m from a strict Asian family and no matter how old we are, we tend to still keep our parents within our household because we like to help them as they grow older. So my parents would not be fond of anyone - they won’t even like my mates staying at my house!”

Murad says: “I believe what the government is doing is the right thing, giving more shelters for Ukrainian people to leave the border.”

Dougy says: “I think it’s a great idea. I think, from what I’ve seen - obviously the war being televised more so than ever, we’re seeing the horrors and the disparity between the life we’re living and the unfortunate lives innocent people are living in as well.

“So if we can house them, and not just Ukrainians, anybody from any country that needs to seek asylum, those sorts of schemes would not only help people in low income, that’ve maybe got a spare bedroom, but also I think it brings - it shows more unity between us and anybody that’s struggling.

“It’s like we have a place for you but we can also subsidise - especially with the housing and the bills cost of living going through the roof.”

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance. Learn more and donate what you can today

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