Written question WQ85620
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Social Justice
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Minister confirm the total sums that have been spent on refugee welcome centres to date, and provide a breakdown of the establishment and running costs?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Social Justice
The following answers relate to people fleeing the conflict in the Ukraine. To note that these people have not been granted refugee status by the UK Government.
The occupancy data we have show that, as of 24th June (or closest date on which occupancy data was available), there were 585 people in the Welcome Centres set-up under the Welsh Government’s Super Sponsor scheme.
As of 1st July, 40 people have moved on into accommodation in communities in Wales. A further 27 are awaiting move on, suitable accommodation having been identified and agreed, with 8 further potential matches to onward accommodation made.
Welsh Government does not hold data on the nationalities of people arriving in Wales from Ukraine. Application for and issue of vias is the responsibility of the UK Government.
Six Welcome Centres have currently been established in Wales. The opening dates for each centre are as follows:
Opening Date
28 March 2022
28 March 2022
08 April 2022
20 April 2022
01 May 2022
27 June 2022
£ 8,056,340 has been awarded by the Welsh Government to Welcome Centres in relation to start-up and running costs, accommodation and catering services. £ 1,332,820 has been awarded by the Welsh Government to Welcome Centres in relation to wrap-around support services. In each case, funding relates to the (varying) duration of the current contractual period. Funding awarded is a maximum ‘up to’ amount and will be claimed based on the actual costs.
The current average length of stay is 41 days for those people who are currently staying at or who have left Welcome Centres. These figures are based on operational data.