£1million a MONTH on tiny cabins for refugees
tHe cost of housing Ukrainian refugees in cramped cabins on a cruise ship could run into millions of pounds, it emerged yesterday.
Ministers revealed plans to divert those with approved visas to the Ms Victoria, which will be docked in Leith, edinburgh, after running out of accommodation for the ‘super sponsor’ scheme.
But concerns have been raised refugees will need to endure windowless rooms more cramped than prison cells – and that the bill could be more than £1million a month.
the scottish Government last night admitted it still hasn’t concluded negotiations on how much it will need to pay to hire the vessel, and said only that it expects the cost of the 739 rooms to be ‘similar to the costs for equivalent hotel rooms’.
Based on a modest estimate of £60 per night for an edinburgh hotel room, the total bill would be more than £1.3million a month.
scottish Conservative housing spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘scottish taxpayers will be shocked to hear that so much money may end up being forked out to house refugees in these sorts of conditions. people won’t begrudge the Government spending on Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country, but they will be keen to know that they are being treated properly as a result.
‘Yet despite sNp promises of a warm welcome and safe and secure accommodation, some of the cabins aboard this ship don’t even have a window and are more cramped than a prison cell.
‘the sNp have repeatedly boasted of how generous they are, but their shoddy planning is letting down Ukrainian refugees just when we should be doing everything we can to help them feel welcome and safe. they must now work to secure more suitable accommodation as quickly as possible so that refugees can be quickly matched up with local families as promised.’
the scottish Government confirmed that the cruise ship and hotel rooms are being provided through a contract with Corporate travel Management. a spokesman said: ‘the overall costs for Ms Victoria are similar to the costs for equivalent hotel rooms.
‘the ship will offer displaced people safe accommodation, complete with restaurants, child play facilities, shops, cleaning and communal spaces.’
When pressed for clarity on the costs involved, it was confirmed there are still ‘ongoing negotiations that will impact on the final cost figure’.