London, March 14 (Agency) The UK on Monday announced there will be no limit to the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed to live with UK host families under the new visa scheme. According to BBC, the hosts will receive £350 a month as a “thank you” from the government. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “I’m pleased that we’re doing this because as a country we have a very proud record of offering sanctuary to people from wars and from conflicts.” This comes after criticisms from several countries and the its own MPs over the speed and scale of its response to the refugee crisis.
Under the new scheme people in the UK will be able to nominate an individual or family to stay with them rent-free, or in another property, for at least six months, BBC reported. Javid said the refugees will be allowed to stay in the UK “for at least three years” and also have access to the NHS and other public services, and their children will be able to attend local schools. On whether, his family would be hosting a Ukrainian family, he said, “Whatever I do at a personal level, I most certainly will be helping.” Homes for Ukraine is the second visa scheme the government has set up since Russia’s invasion. The first scheme allowed the Ukrainians with an immediate or extended family member in the UK to apply for a family visa to join them.