Content

A vote
was taken (unanimous) and the motion was carried as
follows:
 
“Council notes:

The
ongoing war in Ukraine started in February 2014 when Russia invaded
Crimea and the Donbas and was escalated following the all-out
Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
From
March 2022, under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukrainian nationals
and their family members have been able to apply to come to the UK
in order to escape the conflict.
Initially, this scheme meant that Ukrainian nationals were able
to live, work and claim benefits in the UK for a period of three
years, however in February 2024, this was reduced to 18
months.
In
February 2024, The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme was
launched, allowing Ukrainian nationals living in the UK with
permission under one of the existing schemes with less than 28 days
left on their visa to extend it for a further 18
months.

 
Council
recognises that:

The
short duration of these schemes (18 months) has left many
Ukrainians now living in the UK facing significant uncertainty as
well as difficulties accessing housing, jobs and educational
opportunities.
Whilst
there are visas which would enable some Ukrainians to stay for
longer (5 years), such as Skilled Worker visas or Global Talent
visas, not all Ukrainians living in the UK would be eligible for
such schemes and therefore cannot benefit from the relative
certainty they provide.

 
Council
further recognises that:

For
many young Ukrainians who have come to the UK since 2022, their
friendship groups are now entirely rooted within the UK, and many
now speak English as their primary language.
Whilst
the Ukrainian Government is encouraging Ukrainian nationals to
return to the country, many Ukrainians feel it is still not safe.
For many Ukrainians, returning home is impossible due to either the
destruction of their homes or to the continued Russian occupation
and offensives which renders much of Ukraine as dangerous as
ever.
The
lack of affordable housing, employment and other support available
in “safer” regions of Ukraine, coupled with continued
periodic attacks from Russia, and the associated stress and mental
health problems, means that relocating to even these
“safer” regions is not possible for many.

 
Council
believes that:

Ukrainian nationals living in the UK deserve certainty about
their right to live in the UK, and that the Government has a moral
duty to continue to support them.
Where
Ukrainian nationals have settled in the UK, that have enriched the
communities they joined, as evidenced by the 974 people who arrived
in South Cambridgeshire.

 
Council
resolves to:

Request that the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and the
Home Secretary expressing our concerns regarding these schemes and
to ask the Government to consider how it can give Ukrainian
nationals in the UK more certainty about their continued ability to
live in the UK and asking the Government to explore new visa routes
for Ukrainians settled in the UK who don’t have the ability
to return to Ukraine.
In
drafting the letter, request that the Leader engage with Ukrainians
living in South Cambridgeshire to incorporate their lived
experiences.
Request that the Leader to write to Local MPs to make them aware
of the Council’s concerns and to ask them for their support
in pushing for a fair outcome for Ukrainians living in South
Cambridgeshire.”