Kent has responded generously in offering accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, according to figures released by KCC.

A total of 3,871 Ukrainians had been matched with 1,642 households across the county, and nearly 3,000 - 2,927 to be exact - had already entered the country.

But the leader of the county council, Roger Gough, warned that there wer potential difficulties ahead.

Not only were Ukrainians continuing to arrive at the rate of two or three a day, but some of those hosts who had agreed to take in a guest for a minimum of six months were nearing the end of that period and were not seeking to have the arrangement continue.

The council estimated that there would come a time when an estimated 870 new placements would be needed to replace those expiring, representing around 1,560 refugees seeking new sponsor families.

Although in some few cases, that was because the relationship between host and sponsor had broken down - with eight Ukrainian households currently in emergency accommodation s a result - part of the reason was believed to be economic, with good-natured sponsors being squeezed by the cost of living crisis.

Currently, sponsors are paid a flat rate of £350 a month by the Government, whether they have one guest or five.

Yesterday20 KCC announced it would be topping this up at the rate of £50 per guest per month, plus a one-off £500 payment to families who went beyond the six month period and were still hosting at the end of March..

The new payments will begin at the end of October and will continue until March 2023, which is when the existing Government scheme also ends.

There is a separate hardship fund for host families who are in particular need.

In addition, the council had appointed a host co-ordinator specifically to find new host families for those who may have to leave their first port of call.

Cllr Gough, said “The response from Kent residents to the plight of the Ukrainian people fleeing their homes has been incredible.

He said: "I feel that increasing the monthly payment to hosts is only right and fair, given the huge part they have played in this humanitarian effort.

“I hope that this extra payment to people who have so generously opened their homes to Ukrainian guests will give some reassurance in these financially challenging times.

“I know that many of our hosts want to be able to continue to support their guests beyond the initial six months of the scheme, but are finding it difficult to do so considering the cost-of-living pressures.

"I hope that this move will not only reassure current hosts, but also encourage more people in the county to sign up to the scheme.

"More Ukrainian guests are arriving every day, and more homes are desperately needed."

Details of the KCC support can be found here.

Cllr Antony Hook (Lib Dem) suggested the council use some of the inspiring personal stories of the hosts and of the guests to publicise the hosting campaign and help recruit new volunteers.

Cllr Dan Watkins (Con) welcomed the measures, but warned: "It is inevitable that our council housing lists are going to become more pressured over time."

Households interested on hosting a Ukrainian family should email ukraine@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 412424.