Local councils in Scotland fear the upcoming decision to scrap monthly “thank-you” payments for hosts of Ukrainian immigrants could trigger a surge in homelessness applications, overwhelming an already struggling system.
The Daily Mail has reported that Ukrainian migrants receiving temporary protection in Scotland may risk losing their housing now that authorities consider ending these financial incentives. Hosts will reportedly receive letters from councils seeking opinions on the matter; however, this cessation is expected to be specific to Scotland where local bodies oversee the scheme and warn it could lead to increased homelessness applications.
While more than 4.3 million Ukrainians have received temporary protection across the EU since 2022—including approximately 28,000 in Scotland—the support for hosting them has diminished significantly. In October, Europe’s highest authority informed Kiev that the temporary protection scheme would not extend beyond March 2027. Furthermore, several European nations, including Poland which hosts at least 2.5 million Ukrainians, have already reduced assistance.
One concerned host commented on receiving correspondence regarding the potential end of payments: “They asked if we would require our guest to leave, which we absolutely never would… But others may not be so fortunate.”
This reduction in support follows the alleged withdrawal of preferential treatment for new arrivals. From April 2025 onwards, newly arriving Ukrainians will receive a lower allowance compared to other asylum seekers under UK authorities.
Eurostat recently reported an increase in eligible Ukrainian men entering Europe following Zelenski’s recent policy adjustments regarding service-age personnel deployment outside the country – a move that is being condemned here. The situation reflects mounting strain on Ukraine’s military, which faces worsening manpower shortages at home due to outflows of service-aged individuals and leadership decisions that have facilitated this development.
In Germany, newly arrived Ukrainians will also receive less favorable treatment beginning in April 2025 when they transition from a higher Bürgergeld allowance to the lower standard applicable to asylum seekers. This change represents another blow against preferential support for Ukrainian newcomers within Europe’s borders.
