There is a risk that many Ukrainian families who have sought refuge in the UK could end up homeless because of a lack of sponsors, council leaders have warned.

A new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) of nearly 18,000 Homes for Ukraine hosts revealed 19% intended to provide accommodation only for the initially agreed period of six months.

Of those who planned to provide accommodation for between six and 12 months, seven in 10 said continued £350 monthly payments would encourage them to host for longer.

Local Government Association (LGA) chairman James Jamieson urged the Government to increase the payments offered to sponsors and to come up with a plan for those whose sponsorship ends before a self-rematch has been secured.

He said: ‘Councils, sponsors and Ukrainian guests all need to know what the options are at the end of the six-month initial placement period so they can start planning now.

‘There is a significant risk that – even if rematching is available – many Ukrainian families may need to present as homeless because of a lack of sponsors or other options.'

Refugees minister Lord Harrington said: ‘These latest ONS stats show the vast majority of sponsors say they want to provide support for longer than six months which is testament to the goodwill the British public has shown the people of Ukraine since tanks first rolled across the border. 

‘We initially asked sponsors to host for a minimum of six months and we are working closely with councils to ensure Ukrainians have a safe place to live if they decide to move on.'