The decision to terminate the contract came as a surprise, as it had previously been extended until March 31, 2023. Some Ukrainians have already found work in Scottish companies and put their children in schools. The hotel premises have been prepared for the Christmas holidays and the winter.
Some Ukrainians cried when they learned of the Scottish authorities’ decision to terminate their contract for accommodation in a Perthshire hotel. Until November 18, Ukrainian citizens will have to leave the hotel in the village of Killin. Speaking of which in shape Daily log.
Local community representatives called the government’s decision “shocking” in relation to people who were offered asylum a few months ago.
It was originally planned that Ukrainians would be allowed to stay in hotels until spring. Some Ukrainian refugees have already found work in the area and their children have been placed in local schools. Representatives of the local community criticized this decision, saying that the government acted indifferently towards the people, because the hotel was originally booked until the end of March. Hotel manager Parhiv Vyas said he had received a contract termination notice from the Scottish government.
According to him, this was a surprise, as first the contract was extended until March 31 and everything was confirmed, the premises were prepared for the Christmas period and the winter.
“All the problems have been solved. The kids went to school. I don’t want them to feel like they have to move to a new place every few months. Some of them were upset when they found out, some even cried,” she explained. the manager.
Ukrainians are promised they will not be on the street
Anfisa Ignatova, 19, has moved from the outskirts of Kiev and lives in a hotel with her mother. She said it was bad news.
“We got scared because we don’t know where to move. People are not entirely sure of their future. I study at the University of Stirling, people work, but we don’t know what will happen next. They said we still won’t be on the street, but they need time to come up with something, “Anfisa said.
Representatives of the Stirling city council said it was quite difficult to find new housing for Ukrainians, but expressed the hope that this will be possible before 18 November.
Letter to the Prime Minister
Local authorities even wrote a letter to Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon stating that they were trying to help refugees adapt in Scotland: they helped them learn the language, find jobs and “integrate our guests into the wider community. “.
According to Andy Aitken, chairman of the Killing village council, such complications could have been avoided. Local authorities offered to welcome Ukrainians and find host families, but officials said it was their responsibility to find accommodation. If the board’s proposal had been accepted, this would not have happened.
“We believe that the Scottish Government has acted with contempt towards the local community and indifferently and without regard for the interests of those it offered asylum a few months ago. We hope that Ukrainian refugees and their host communities will not face treatment. similar to Killeen, “Aitken said.
Local volunteer Fiona Martin, who teaches English to Ukrainians, said she was shocked by the development.
“This is a very indifferent government decision, given what many of them have faced. They were assured that they would be able to stay here until March 2023,” the volunteer said. According to which, she is also worried that schoolchildren will not be able to complete even a year and a half, after which a break would be natural for the children.
Local businesses are also in trouble, as many refugees have accepted jobs that had remained vacant after Brexit.
Ukrainian refugees in Scotland
According to statistics, 20,591 Ukrainian refugees live in Scotland, a fifth of those who moved to the UK. Thousands more are expected as the Scottish government has already issued 35,357 visas.
At least 6,540 Ukrainians in Scotland live in temporary accommodation, hotels and on two cruise ships docked in the ports of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“Supersponsorship”
Moving to Scotland is easier for Ukrainians. Unlike other areas of the UK, the Scottish government offers a more simplified relocation scheme through which refugees can receive asylum in the country. The so-called “super sponsorship” allows the Scottish government to be specified as a sponsor. It is not necessary to look for a host family before leaving Ukraine.
Recall that in Scotland they are trying to resolve the question of where Ukrainian refugees should live after the end of a six-month residence period in the homes of host families. Already the second the cruise ship has become a refugee hotel.
Previously Focus reported that 750 Ukrainians are housed in nursing home buildings in Ireland. The country, according to unofficial data, has welcomed about 60,000 refugees from Ukraine. In the metropolitan area of Dublin, affordable housing is running out, but there are still resettlement opportunities in rural areas. However, Ukrainians are in no hurry to go there due to transportation difficulties.
