Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Operation Pitting Evacuees

Monday 25 April 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is supporting evacuees under Operation Pitting with the search for permanent accommodation, working with local councils.
  • The Minister is willing to meet Jamie Stone to discuss expediting housing for evacuees in the highlands.
  • The Minister is happy to meet Nusrat Ghani to help progress cases through the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Immigration NHS
Context

The UK's largest evacuation operation in decades has relocated approximately 15,000 Afghanis. The current cost of hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers is £4.7 million daily, with £1.2 million dedicated to Afghan refugees.

Question

What support her Department is providing to people who were evacuated under Operation Pitting?

Answer from Kevin Foster

We continue to support those who were evacuated under Operation Pitting—the UK's largest evacuation operation in some decades—in particular with the search for permanent accommodation, based on working with local councils to identify that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the nature of the support provided and how it is implemented are not detailed.

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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Asylum & Refugees Housing
Context

Approximately 15,000 Afghanis were evacuated under Operation Pitting. The current cost of hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers is £4.7 million daily, with £1.2 million dedicated to Afghan refugees. Hotels are not ideal for children's education.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can expedite that?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I am delighted to hear that housing is available in the highlands to support these people. We would be keen for them to make their new home in the highlands, which is a fantastic part of our United Kingdom. I would be delighted to meet the hon. Member to discuss how we can get those families on the way to a permanent home in a welcoming community.

Answered
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Q3 Nusrat Ghani Con Sussex Weald
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Operation Pitting was successful in evacuating Afghans. However, many Afghan women who were left behind are now on the Taliban hit list and face death threats unless they can escape Afghanistan.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to try to help me to progress their cases?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss those women's cases. Of course, through the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme we are working with groups such as the UNHCR to identify those who would be particularly affected by Taliban rule.

Answered
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