← Back to House of Commons Debates
Afghanistan 2025-07-15
15 July 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ImmigrationForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey raised concerns about afghanistan 2025-07-15 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today, I am announcing a change in Government policy following a significant data protection breach from February 2022 involving the Afghan relocations and assistance policy. The High Court granted an unprecedented super-injunction due to this breach, and the previous Government established a secret resettlement route known as ARR for those at high risk of Taliban reprisals. However, I am now closing the ARR route, disclosing the data loss, and confirming that the court order was lifted at 12 noon today. The breach involved an official mistakenly emailing personal information associated with 18,714 Afghans who had applied to either the ex gratia scheme or ARAP before January 2022, containing names and contact details of applicants and some family members, as well as noted support from Members of Parliament and military officers. The previous Government established ARR in autumn 2023 for around 200 principals but broadened this to nearly 3,000 due to policy decisions and court views. Despite the data breach, all individuals relocated under ARAP or ARR undergo strict national security checks before entering Britain. To date, 900 ARR principals are in Britain at a cost of about £400 million. From today, there will be no new ARR offers of relocation; however, we will honour previous invitations made to those still in Afghanistan and their immediate family. The Government has taken practical actions, including notifying affected individuals through a dedicated website and setting up an information services centre. We are apologising for this breach on behalf of the British Government and restoring full accountability to Parliament.
James Cartlidge
Con
South Suffolk
Question
Mr Healey, why was the data breach not reported at an earlier stage when it happened in February 2022? Are you confident that all individuals affected by the super-injunction have been informed of its lifting?
Minister reply
The decision to withhold information from Parliament and the public was made due to the risk of the Taliban obtaining the dataset, which could increase the threat to those whose data was compromised. We are making every effort to inform all affected individuals through our dedicated gov.uk website and a detailed information services centre.
Penny Mordaunt
Con
East Hampshire
Question
How do you justify the continuation of an illegal super-injunction for nearly two years, given that it prevented journalists from reporting on issues that affect the public's right to know and parliamentary accountability?
Minister reply
The decision was made out of necessity to protect individuals at risk. However, I recognise the importance of full transparency and accountability to Parliament. The lifting of the super-injunction today restores these fundamental principles.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Wealden
Question
What steps are being taken to address any potential security risks for individuals who may still be in Afghanistan but have not been informed about the lifting of their protection?
Minister reply
We will provide guidance through our dedicated website and information services centre. We are also continuing to monitor the situation closely with relevant security agencies.
Slough
Question
Although I welcome the statement and intent for parliamentary transparency, this data breach is a mess and wholly unacceptable. How confident are you that affected Afghans will not face recriminations?
Minister reply
I recommend my hon. Friend reads in full the public version of the Rimmer report which sets out conclusions and an updated risk assessment based on current conditions.
Epsom and Ewell
Question
What steps have been taken to address the root cause of the breach and ensure it does not happen again? What assurances can you provide regarding the safety of individuals involved?
Minister reply
Steps include appointing a new chief information officer, installing secure software, and completing a comprehensive review of legacy Afghan data. Lifting the super-injunction will heighten dangers but proper support is being provided.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
I commend the Secretary of State for his honesty. What an appalling mess, but part of the original sin was our intervening militarily and then scuttling out. On a wider point, may I take it that we have learnt our lesson and have got over the liberal imperial itch of the Cameron and Blair eras to intervene militarily in ungovernable countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya? Let us now move on.
Minister reply
I am grateful for his support. Although he has not said it, he is a big champion of press freedom and I expect that he also recognises that an important part of our decision has been the period in which we have seen no public knowledge, no media reporting and no parliamentary accountability.
Louise Jones
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Question
As a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, I was appalled to watch the chaotic mismanagement following the fall of Kabul that left Afghans who served alongside our troops dangerously exposed. This data breach joins a litany of other data breaches, delays and failures of our allies. Does the Secretary of State agree that we must give our fullest support to those Afghans so they can rebuild a new life in the UK?
Minister reply
I do indeed. To those Afghans, we are offering a new home and a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to our country.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Question
The shadow Secretary of State asked whether it was a civil servant who carried out the leak. The Secretary of State said it was a “Defence official” and The Times is reporting that it was a soldier. I want to focus on a particular phrase the Secretary of State used. Can you clarify exactly whether it was a civil servant, a spad or a soldier?
Minister reply
This was a data breach that took place three and a half years ago under the decision and leadership of the previous Government and previous Defence Ministers. The challenge this Government faced was far bigger than the actions of one official that long ago.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
The shadow Secretary State made great play of the changes and extra safeguards put in place by Ministers of the previous Government. Can I ask him this clearly? Who had knowledge of this incident in the 18 months after the data breach had taken place before it reached Ministers? How were there no checks on anyone in the Department who had access to that sort of data?
Minister reply
The events date from a period well before I took office. As he above all will appreciate, new Ministers have no access to the policy advice, legal assessments, any of the papers or even the threat assessments previous Government Ministers may have commissioned.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
Question
I look forward to giving this matter the scrutiny it deserves. Can you clarify if the data breach in question has put or is now putting any serving members of the UK armed forces at risk?
Minister reply
To the best of my knowledge and belief, no serving member of our armed forces is put at risk by the data loss.
Barrow and Furness
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that we have inherited a chaotic and poorly managed system? Can he tell us what systems have been put in place to correct that?
Minister reply
I would just say, however, that I do not think any Minister could stand here and guarantee that there will never be another data breach. That was the technology available in the early days of this scheme.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
What worries me more than the lifting of this super-injunction is the fact that we have closed down all Afghan schemes at a time when undocumented Afghans are being rounded up for forcible repatriation to an Afghanistan led by the Taliban. Will the Secretary State confirm that despite the closure of the schemes, anybody who is found to have worked closely with our armed forces and is in imminent danger can still be rescued?
Question
The Defence Secretary is justifying this super-injunction by not telling Parliament or the public about potential harm to Afghans. Is he aware of the risks involved and how they were assessed?
Minister reply
I can confirm that if there are other super-injunctions, I have not been informed. The decision was based on reviewing risks, costs, legal hearings, and security concerns.
Question
Does the Secretary of State share concern about failing to honour our debts to those who supported our troops in Afghanistan? Should we offer sanctuary to Afghans seeking refuge?
Minister reply
I agree that it is crucial to honour our debt and provide a welcoming environment for Afghans. Those who served alongside British forces recognise the importance of this commitment.
Question
What communication strategy will be used to inform those affected by the closure of ARAP and ACRS? What about individuals not accepted under ARR?
Minister reply
We have communicated with everyone in the dataset today, offering access to further advice through a designated area on gov.uk. For those who received invitations, we will honour them.
Question
Will there be additional resources for MPs to support constituents affected by this closure? Can cases still be relevant four years later?
Minister reply
I assure my hon. Friend that 22,000 ARAP applicants will have their applications processed where eligibility is established. The scheme remains open for those who may still qualify.
Question
What are the cost implications of the scheme? Will assistance be rapidly provided to those 600 individuals currently in Afghanistan?
Minister reply
Around £400 million has been spent on bringing eligible Afghans and their families to Britain. We expect another £400 million for the remaining members who have received invitations. The taxpayer will save £1.2 billion over the next few years with these changes.
Question
Is it right and proper that this issue is now fully scrutinised by Parliament?
Minister reply
I do agree. Restoring parliamentary accountability for decisions taken, schemes run, and spending committed is crucial.
John Healey
Lab
Question
The Secretary of State wanted this House to hear the policy decisions he had made today. He explained that the judge lifted a super-injunction due to the Government's announcements, which would allow for proper parliamentary scrutiny.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Question
Ferguson expressed anger at the betrayal of Afghan people and asked for details on how long it took to uncover the initial leak, the use of an inappropriate spreadsheet software for sensitive data, and the role held by previous Secretaries of State during that period.
Minister reply
It was 18 months between the original data loss and when it was first discovered. The use of spreadsheets is no longer appropriate for this casework system. Grant Shapps was the Defence Secretary who oversaw the design, extension and establishment of the ARR scheme.
Neil O'Brien
Con
Question
O'Brien questioned the lack of transparency on legal advice leading to the expansion of the schemes, and inquired about the number of people who have resigned or been sacked due to this error.
Minister reply
The legal advice is not accessible. The total cost of all Afghan relocation schemes to date is around £2.7 billion with an expected lifetime cost between £5.5 billion and £6 billion.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Question
Martin thanked the Secretary of State for his openness, transparency, and apology regarding the Afghan resettlement schemes.
Minister reply
Agreed to reaffirm commitment to public transparency.
Question
Duncan Smith asked about future plans beyond the current closure of these schemes for individuals who do not recognise the statement that there is no longer a widespread campaign of targeting individuals.
Minister reply
Will look at cases again, but cannot raise false hopes.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Question
Swallow expressed pride in Bracknell's involvement in the Afghan resettlement programme and asked for reaffirmation of commitment to honouring obligations to Afghans who served alongside British troops.
Minister reply
Will continue processing outstanding applications under the ARAP scheme and will restore parliamentary scrutiny.
Calum Miller
LD
Question
Miller raised concerns about a constituent's wife and child who are still in Afghanistan due to unresolved promises made by British officials, seeking proper treatment for such cases.
Minister reply
Will take a look at the case and speak to the Home Secretary if required.
Question
Fenton-Glynn paid tribute to diplomats and armed forces involved in Afghan relocation operations, asking for confirmation on continued processing of cases under ARAP scheme.
Minister reply
Will continue processing cases of those in the ARAP scheme since 1 July.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
I thank the Defence Secretary for his statement, but I think it asks a lot more questions than it answers. Will he outline exactly how the dataset came to be accidentally emailed? Will he confirm that it was indeed an accident? What was the security classification of that dataset? Who was the dataset emailed to, given that it is now feared to be in the hands of the Taliban? I appreciate that he might not be able to answer some of those questions, but given that this happened three years ago, what level of investigation has taken place?
Minister reply
I think that I reported earlier to the House that the incident under previous Ministers was reported to the Metropolitan police. It was also reported to the Information Commissioner. The Met police deemed no criminal investigation or further action to be required. The Information Commissioner still has the case—we are working closely with them—and I would expect some conclusions and judgments from the Information Commissioner’s Office before too long, but I simply cannot say when.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Question
I ran an aid agency when the Taliban came to power in 2021 and vividly recall trying to get the then Government to help with the evacuation of brave Afghan colleagues, aid workers and human rights defenders—people who had served humanity—under huge threat. To hear that the lives of tens of thousands of Afghan civilians were further put at risk by this data breach is deeply shocking. The Defence Secretary will know that under the Taliban, Afghan women and girls are enduring the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis. Does he agree that the UK must do all it can to support the women and girls of Afghanistan in realising their right to equality?
Minister reply
I do. Where female Afghans are eligible for the schemes, it has been important that they have been able to apply, and we have been able to offer them the same relocation and resettlement as others.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Question
The Secretary of State will know that communities in Wales, as across the UK, have been proud to welcome those Afghans and their families who served alongside UK personnel. Many colleagues have raised concern about the Afghans who might remain in Afghanistan or in adjacent countries and may still be in danger for their services rendered. How confident can we be that all those in severe and imminent danger of reprisals will receive invitations for resettlement?
Minister reply
Those who have received invitations will have those honoured. On the concerns that the hon. Member may have about the assessment of risk in Afghanistan, I recommend that he reads Paul Rimmer’s report, which is comprehensive and up to date.
Mary Glindon
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Question
My constituent has an active application to bring members of his family, who are currently in a third country, to safety in the UK. The MOD has advised him to assume that their data has been compromised, which is deeply concerning given the nature of the work he used to undertake. He has been told that this third country cannot be supported, even though his family might not be safe in Afghanistan. Will the Secretary of State help to ensure that his case is accelerated, given the further danger that the data leak may have put his family in?
Minister reply
If my hon. Friend writes to me with the details of that case, I will certainly take a hard look at it.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State very much for his well-chosen, careful, contrite words, which were said in a tone that the House appreciates. As an MP who has often decried the abandonment of those Afghans who helped to secure safety for our troops, and whose job put them in the firing line, I must agree with the principle of doing the right thing, and being a nation that is seen globally as supporting those who support us. Does he agree that Governments must always totally protect those who were put in harm’s way, under the principle of doing what it is always right to do? If I send the Secretary of State the details of that gentleman and his family, will he ensure that he gets the help we should give him?
Minister reply
I appreciate the way in which the hon. Gentleman raised his concerns about that case. If he writes to me with the details, I will take a hard look at it.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
Question
I served twice in Afghanistan alongside some of the bravest soldiers, judges and women’s rights defenders I have met. After the fall of Kabul, I was based in Pakistan with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where I was involved in the evacuation from Afghanistan. Despite the excellent work of people who served in Op Pitting, we saw many mistakes made by the last Government, including dogs being prioritised ahead of people. This data breach, which was held secret for years, is just the latest embarrassment from that evacuation. Will the Secretary of State consider a Select Committee inquiry into not just the breaches in this case, but the entire Afghan relocation system?
Minister reply
One of the great joys of this House is the depth and breadth of experience that Members on all sides bring to debates. I applaud my hon. Friend and the insights he brings from his experience in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.