Ukrainian refugees living on Edinburgh cruise ship in Leith moved to new accommodation

More than 1,000 displaced Ukrainian people who have been living on a boat docked in Edinburgh have been moved into further accommodation.

The MS Victoria, locked at Leith, has housed more than 1,000 of those fleeing conflict since June last year.

The cruise ship’s contract, which was extended in December, is set to end on July 11.

It came after the UK Government’s previous advice that it would be impossible for the cruise ship to continue housing Ukrainian people.

The Scottish Government have now confirmed that the MS Victoria has been fully disembarked ahead of the deadline.

Migration minister Emma Roddick MSP said: “Since the start of the illegal war against Ukraine, almost 25,000 people with a Scottish sponsor have arrived in the UK, according to the latest published data.

“We acted swiftly in response to the humanitarian crisis. The MS Victoria, as part of our temporary welcome accommodation, provided an immediate place of safety for displaced people.

“The MS Victoria has now been fully disembarked ahead of the end of the contract on July 11. All guests who were resident on the ship have been supported by the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council matching team into onward accommodation.”

She added that focus was now on supporting them to rebuild their lives in Scotland, secure jobs and access public services.

“Our focus now is supporting people displaced from Ukraine to rebuild their lives here, securing jobs and accessing public services including the benefits they are entitled to, and helping them secure longer term accommodation,” she said.

“Our Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund is also making up to £50m available to local authorities and registered social landlords to bring empty and void properties back into use. We continue to work in partnership with councils and housing associations on a healthy pipeline of new and potential applications.

“We will continue to support displaced people from Ukraine for as long as they need our help and our message to Ukrainians remains clear: we want Scotland to be your home for as long as you need it, and we will continue to stand with you.”