Former UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warns funding cuts to Ukraine housing scheme may signal weakening Western resolve

The UK government has reduced funding for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, cutting local authority support from £5,900 to £3,300 per guest. The scheme, launched in 2022, has housed 181,000 of 234,000 Ukrainian refugees. Former defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps criticized the decision, saying it could send the wrong message to Putin and suggest Western support is wavering. The cuts come amid broader concerns about Russian hybrid warfare and European resolve to support Ukraine.