'New limbo' for Ukrainian refugees on Leith ship for five more months
The Scottish Lib Dems are scrutinising the Government's decision to continue housing refugees on the MS Victoria until June 2023.
Ukrainian refugees are spending a further five months on a ship docked in Leith.
The Scottish Government is today confirming the MS Victoria will continue to provide " safe accommodation for displaced people" until June 2023.
However, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said housing the refugees on a ship was not a long-term solution.
Stuck in Limbo
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: "This isn't a new life, it's a new limbo.
"I have spoken to aid workers connecting Ukrainian refugees with homes in Scotland.
"They have described the Scottish Government as being humiliatingly underprepared.
"They wanted the kudos of throwing open their doors but they did none of the groundwork.
"I don't think when these Ukrainians are fleeing unimaginable atrocities at the hands of the Russians, I don't think they dreamed about a very crowded passenger ship."
Working for Solutions
Neil Gray, the minister in charge of accommodating Ukrainian Refugees in Scotland, said: "We do not want people to spend any longer than is absolutely necessary in temporary accommodation.
"However, we know from speaking to those on board the MS Victoria that it is a safe environment that has built a powerful sense of community.
"Work continues to match people in temporary accommodation with hosts and matching teams are operating on board both ships."
"We've provided up to £50 million of funding for local authorities and registered social landlords to bring void properties back into use and increase the available housing supply."
The Scottish Government has urged members of the public to volunteer as hosts for refugees from Ukraine currently in short-term accommodation.
More than 21,500 people with a Scottish sponsor have arrived in the country since the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, representing 20% of all UK arrivals.
The ship is currently accommodating around 1,275 refugees including families and children.
All options are being explored with the MS Ambition which is currently docked in Glasgow and has been chartered until February 2023.