Ministers announce U-turn on security checks for Britons hosting Ukrainian refugees in their homes 

Ministers announce U-turn on security checks for Britons hosting Ukrainian refugees in their homes

  • Communities Secretary Michael Gove said would undergo ‘light touch’ checks
  • But, in fact, the measures will be significantly tougher, the Government said 
  • All hosts will now have to undergo a DBS check looking at any past convictions 

Ministers announced a U-turn on security checks for Britons hosting Ukrainians in their homes last night.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove announced earlier this week that hosts would only have to undergo ‘very light touch’ criminal records checks.

But, in fact, the measures will be significantly tougher, the Government said. 

Communities Secretary Michael Gove announced earlier this week that hosts would only have to undergo ‘very light touch’ criminal records checks. But, in fact, the measures will be significantly tougher, the Government said

All hosts will now have to undergo a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which looks at whether they have any convictions.

However, those who intend to welcome children or vulnerable adults into their homes will have to undergo an even more detailed ‘enhanced’ DBS check, which looks at their background more deeply.

A Communities Department spokesman said: ‘It’s not a change in stance. We’ve been working at pace to get this running as quickly as possible.’