COLCHESTER Council says it will provide the best support it can as local authorities are encouraged to open communities up to Ukrainian refugees.

Each local council is set to receive more than £10,000 per person as tens of thousands of Ukrainians are expected to come to the UK in the coming weeks.

Colchester Council says it is now working to see how it can support any arrivals amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are continuing to liaise with Essex County Council, the voluntary sector and other partners to see how we can support any arrivals into the borough – as we have with other similar programmes – and pool our skills and resources to provide the best support we can.”

It comes as residents across the UK were told they would receive £350-a-month payments from the Government as part of the newly-launched Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Gazette:

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Since its launch on Monday, almost 89,000 British households have registered their interest in offering up their homes and spare rooms, with matching expected to take place from Friday.

But readers have told the Gazette they are split on whether they would open their doors to refugees as millions of people flee the conflict-stricken country.

Vivien Collins said she is considering it, adding: “It’s a lot cheaper for the Government than having refugees in hotels, which is what has been happening in the past, so I actually think it’s a good idea.”

Carol Balchin, Victoria Wright and Simon Cavill all said they would house a refugee, with Johan West stating “it’s a no-brainer”.

Megan Disley added: “If I had the room, without a doubt, yes. Any one of us would hope the same would be offered to any of our families were the roles reversed.”

Gazette:

But Shakiera Sharp said concerns for her young son come first and she will donate goods instead.

She explained: “I have a young son and we don’t know them. I wouldn’t let people from this country stay with me unless I knew them extremely well.”

The Homes for Ukraine scheme has proved so popular as it crashed within minutes as thousands sought to register.

Braintree MP James Cleverly said he was “glad the website crashed”, as it demonstrated the UK people’s generosity.

Speaking to LBC, he said: “The irony of this is I’m actually quite proud that the system struggled.

“I know this is a weird thing to say as a Government minister. I’m glad the website crashed, because it is a reflection of that generosity of the British people.”