Scottish Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy has written to the Leader of Glasgow City Council asking for clarity on the plans in place to rehouse hundreds of Ukrainians who are currently living aboard MS Ambition.
It comes after the Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Europe and External Affairs Committee confirming that no extension to the contract will be sought – meaning the ship will cease to serve as welcome accommodation beyond March 31st will be sought,
Figures published by the Scottish Government this week revealed that a total of 1,111 Ukrainians currently remain onboard the ship, occupying 534 cabins.
Only 378 individuals have disembarked the ship since September, raising questions about the feasibility of relocating those who remain on board by the 31st of March. Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP is now seeking confirmation from Glasgow City Council on whether there is enough accommodation in Glasgow and the surrounding areas to house all of those set to be relocated.
Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP:
“I am proud of the way that people in Glasgow and across Scotland opened their hearts and their homes to people fleeing Ukraine because of Putin’s illegal invasion. As the war continues on, it’s vital that support remains in place.
“Putting people on ships was never an ideal solution and I would like to be welcoming the end of their use in Glasgow – instead I am concerned about where these people will go next. There are still over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees on board MS ambition, but no answers as to where they will be housed after 31st March.
“It’s hard to see how the council will be able to find safe, suitable and secure accommodation for so many people in such a short timeframe.
“It’s vitally important that the Scottish Government work closely with Glasgow City Council to identify capacity, and make sure that every person leaving that ship has a place to go. Not doing so would not only be a dereliction of duty, but it would be letting down people that have put their trust in our system right at the point they need it most.”
ENDS
Notes:
Attached - Letter from Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP to Leader of Glasgow City Council
Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics - January 2023 https://www.gov.scot/publications/ukraine-sponsorship-scheme-in-scotland-statistics-january-2023/documents/
Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics - January 2023
Latest data and information on the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland.
www.gov.scot
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