Concern over homes for refugees scheme modern slavery threat

Press release | CARE has urged caution over a scheme allowing Brits to house refugees from Ukraine, saying there is potential for abuse.

The UK Government is offering people £350 a month to open their homes to refugees. A website to express interest in being a sponsor launches today.

This morning, Lauren Agnew, human trafficking policy expert at CARE, welcomed the motivation behind the scheme but said the logistics must be weighed carefully. She commented:

“The Homes for Ukraine scheme is well-motivated and could benefit a great number of individuals but the logistics of it must be weighed carefully. With large numbers of applications needing to be processed quickly, red flags could be missed in the vetting of potential hosts.

“Recent statistics from the National Crime Agency estimate there are at least 6,000-8,000 modern slavery offenders in the UK. We can be certain that some of this number will be seeing the Homes for Ukraine scheme as an opportunity to turn a profit at the expense of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in the UK.

“Setting refugees up in homes around the UK is not the end of the story. There must be follow-up checks to ensure these individuals are not being exploited. We must remember that refugees are extremely vulnerable. They must not be allowed to fall off the radar.

“We urge the Government to put rigorous safeguarding measures in place to ensure one, that homes and other locations offered to refugees are indeed safe, and two that the welfare of refugees is ensured for as long as they need to take refuge in the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

CARE is a Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Jamie Gillies: jamie.gillies@care.org.uk | 07384467819

About Lauren Agnew

Lauren Agnew is a Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Policy Officer at CARE. Ms Agnew has been involved with anti-trafficking work for the last 7 years. Before joining CARE, she spent time with International Justice Mission in the United States and has also been involved with the IJM Romania Field Office.

Noted for Editors

CARE is a Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Jamie Gillies: jamie.gillies@care.org.uk