Household costs

Therese1

I am hosting a lovely Ukrainian family just now.  Mum, Dad, 2 kids 7 and 4. At the moment their only costs are food and they get UC.  However, they are keen to start thinking about being independent after their 6 months (or maybe longer, I don’t mind) initial hosting is up.  

Mum is working part time teaching English for her existing employer back home.  She plans to do part time teaching here to keep a foot in both camps (desperate to go home one day) Dad is currently Daddy-daycare but is looking for a job.  

My question (and I know there is no exact answer) is what they are asking me …..

”How much do we need to be earning to live independently in Glasgow?” 

I’m making the following assumptions: 

2 bed flat
rent
council tax
utilities - gas/electric
broadband 
Food (they are frugal and never eat out/takeaway) - they’ve only “allowed me” to do this for them once each in 3 months!
Extra childcare around school/nursery if needed 
public transport - though they walk and cycle mostly 

I don’t want to scare them but I do need to give them some realism, especially since Ukraine is so much cheaper.  They have started the conversation and I’m glad because I think they will need several months once fully working to get up to a point where they can get out on their own.  

Thank you. 

MovingForwards

Look online at different rentals to get an idea of how much that will cost each month, it usually says what deposit is required too. My last rental was £740pm for a 2 bed unfurnished flat in Edinburgh, this was a couple of years ago.

Council tax bandings / costs are online, it includes water.

I'm currently paying £65pm for gas and electric, I pay on receipt of my monthly bill.

Internet is about £22pm with Plusnet.

Mobile phone is just over £10pm, SIM only.

I spend upto £200pm on food, that does include chippy night and cat food, two adults.

Bus costs will be online, including bus pass options.

Can't say about child care.

They'll need to budget for clothes.

Daliah

MovingForwards said:

They'll need to budget for clothes.

Definitely, especially for the kids and their shoes, which they keep growing out of at the rate of knows. Some could perhaps be sourced in charity shops but certain items they need to buy new.

Also personal hygenie and general household goods

CKhalvashi

Daliah said:

MovingForwards said:

They'll need to budget for clothes.

Definitely, especially for the kids and their shoes, which they keep growing out of at the rate of knows. Some could perhaps be sourced in charity shops but certain items they need to buy new.

Also personal hygenie and general household goods

Our Mayor has enough to keep the local Ukrainian community going on personal hygiene goods for the next year at least, so it may be worth asking your local lowest council what they have available.

Agree with the rest.

General_Grant

Therese1 said:

I am hosting a lovely Ukrainian family just now.  Mum, Dad, 2 kids 7 and 4. At the moment their only costs are food and they get UC.  However, they are keen to start thinking about being independent after their 6 months (or maybe longer, I don’t mind) initial hosting is up.  

Mum is working part time teaching English for her existing employer back home.  She plans to do part time teaching here to keep a foot in both camps (desperate to go home one day) Dad is currently Daddy-daycare but is looking for a job.  

My question (and I know there is no exact answer) is what they are asking me …..

”How much do we need to be earning to live independently in Glasgow?” 

I’m making the following assumptions: 

2 bed flat
rent
council tax
utilities - gas/electric
broadband 
Food (they are frugal and never eat out/takeaway) - they’ve only “allowed me” to do this for them once each in 3 months!
Extra childcare around school/nursery if needed 
public transport - though they walk and cycle mostly 

I don’t want to scare them but I do need to give them some realism, especially since Ukraine is so much cheaper.  They have started the conversation and I’m glad because I think they will need several months once fully working to get up to a point where they can get out on their own.  

Thank you. 

If the father has been allowed out of Ukraine, does he have a disability which might affect his ability to obtain work?  Or was he already out of the country?

jennifernil

Rent will depend on where in Glasgow they go, but I would budget £600-£800 depending on whether furnished or not.  Check council tax on line.
Utility costs are shooting up, so maybe £100-£150 per month soon.  Will depend on how well insulated the property is.      Internet around £20-£25.
Food, cleaning stuff, toiletries £250-£300.
Childcare can  be quite expensive, but the 4 year old would get some free nursery hours, and the older child could  go to after school clubs
Then there are clothes.

To cover everything, for 2 adults and 2 children, I would say they will need in the region of £25k before tax.

CKhalvashi

General_Grant said:

Therese1 said:

I am hosting a lovely Ukrainian family just now.  Mum, Dad, 2 kids 7 and 4. At the moment their only costs are food and they get UC.  However, they are keen to start thinking about being independent after their 6 months (or maybe longer, I don’t mind) initial hosting is up.  

Mum is working part time teaching English for her existing employer back home.  She plans to do part time teaching here to keep a foot in both camps (desperate to go home one day) Dad is currently Daddy-daycare but is looking for a job.  

My question (and I know there is no exact answer) is what they are asking me …..

”How much do we need to be earning to live independently in Glasgow?” 

I’m making the following assumptions: 

2 bed flat
rent
council tax
utilities - gas/electric
broadband 
Food (they are frugal and never eat out/takeaway) - they’ve only “allowed me” to do this for them once each in 3 months!
Extra childcare around school/nursery if needed 
public transport - though they walk and cycle mostly 

I don’t want to scare them but I do need to give them some realism, especially since Ukraine is so much cheaper.  They have started the conversation and I’m glad because I think they will need several months once fully working to get up to a point where they can get out on their own.  

Thank you. 

If the father has been allowed out of Ukraine, does he have a disability which might affect his ability to obtain work?  Or was he already out of the country?

There are a number of reasons why men are allowed outside of Ukraine, not limited to disability.

To gain residency through the sponsorship scheme it is required to have lived in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022. Why the British government has chosen this date I don't know.