LONDON, March 13, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Stung by criticism of its lacklustre 
approach to refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK on Sunday 
unveiled a new scheme to allow them to stay with Britons for up to three 
years. 

  The "Homes for Ukraine" programme will allow "tens of thousands" to gain 
access to work, healthcare and education, even without family ties to 
Britain, cabinet secretary Michael Gove said. 

  The government wanted to try to ensure that "every available home" is 
opened up "to those who are fleeing persecution", he told Sky News. 

  "There are a large number of people in this country, generous hearted and 
in a position to provide homes, and businesses and charities as well," added 
Gove, whose portfolio includes housing. 

  Hosts will be given o350 ($457, 418 euros) a month and must commit to a 
minimum stay of six months -- potentially a stumbling block when Britons are 
grappling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. 

  They must sponsor a named Ukrainian -- which Gove said could be someone 
Britons have met on social media, or with churches and charities playing an 
intermediary role. 

  Britons will need to undergo security vetting, especially to protect 
vulnerable women and children from Ukraine. 

  The refugees themselves will still require a visa, although the government 
has simplified the process after a deluge of attacks last week over the 
complications it had thrown up to fleeing Ukrainians. 

  Gove said that a website for Britons to register as sponsors would launch 
on Monday, with the first arrivals possible in a week. 

  The opposition Labour party welcomed the new scheme, but said the 
government still had to clarify key details and compared it unfavourably with 
the EU's no-strings approach to Ukrainian refugees. 

  "Frankly the last few weeks have been an embarrassment for the UK in terms 
of refugees," Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Sky.