Cole-Hamilton criticises SNP handling of Ukraine visa scheme

Responding to the Scottish Government's new policy paper on supporting Ukrainians in Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"The work that local communities and hosts have done to ensure that our Ukrainian guests feel welcome has showcased the very best of Scotland. However I am disappointed that minsters have refused to be honest about the scheme. The big promises of Scottish ministers were never matched by giving local authorities the necessary resources to vet volunteer hosts or find appropriate housing.

"While thousands of Ukrainians have arrived on visas issued through the Scottish Government super sponsor scheme, there seems to be little evidence for how many of those actually came to Scotland and those that did have often faced long stays on cruise ships or in bridging accommodation.

"What's more the Scottish Government’s visa scheme has now been closed for over a year even as the conflict continues to rage. When the scheme was paused I warned that the tests for reopening the scheme were designed to be impossible to meet and lo and behold that has turned out to be the case."