As the Government prepares to launch details of its Homes for Ukraine scheme, business leader, philanthropist and Phones 4U founder John Caudwell joined Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to explain why, prior to the scheme announcement, he revealed he would be sponsoring a Ukrainian family at his Staffordshire home.
In addition to the family of four for whom he will provide a self-contained home, John has appealed to others to do the same. He said:
“What I’m trying to do is inspire other wealthy people to do the same. And they are responding. I’ve already had 50 or 100 people saying they can take families in, into separate accommodation. As well as the hundreds who’ve actually said we’ll take somebody into our spare bedroom.”
John was also asked if he agrees with proposals that Russian oligarchs’ London mansions should be seized and turned into refugee housing.
John said: “No. I absolutely support the Government in seizing these properties if these oligarchs have made their money through illicit means or through being close to Putin. But it would be a much better use of that property to sell it while it’s in prime condition rather than to destroy value and the value destruction to be very disproportionate to the value of the housing. So I would say seize it, and if it’s legal, sell it and use the money to support the Ukrainian people.”
