Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy

Monday 13 June 2022 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Over 9,500 eligible individuals have been relocated to the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.
  • A former member of a unit established by Dan Jarvis has been waiting nine months for his ARAP application to be processed.
  • Family members of Afghan interpreters accommodated under the ARAP scheme are among the 12,000 Afghans stranded in bridging hotels.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP inquires about the effectiveness of a programme that has relocated Afghan individuals to the UK. The programme's progress is under scrutiny.

Question

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy. To date, over 9,500 eligible individuals have already safely relocated to the UK under the scheme; there are approximately an equal number left to be relocated.

Answer from James Heappey

To date, over 9,500 eligible individuals have already safely relocated to the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy; we think we have about the same to go in terms of the number of people eligible. Flights are leaving, principally from Islamabad, every fortnight.

Answered
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Q2 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Veterans
Context

A former member of a unit the MP helped establish is currently waiting nine months for his ARAP application to be processed. The applicant faces significant risks, including potential kidnapping or murder by the Taliban.

Question

With your forbearance, Mr Speaker, I pay tribute to all those who served in the Falkland Islands 40 years ago. I turn to the Minister's response. A former member of the unit I helped to establish has now been waiting nine months for his ARAP application to be processed. He is in hiding, terrified that he is going to be kidnapped and murdered by the Taliban—all because he stepped forward to serve when we asked him to. Will the Minister give an undertaking to look at the detail of this particular individual's case? Can he say what more is being done to clear the backlog of applications?

Answer from James Heappey

The hon. Gentleman is a phenomenal campaigner for those who served alongside the UK armed forces; in fact, I think I probably sign dozens of letters a week responding to his various inquiries. I am surprised that I have not already corresponded with him on this particular case if he has raised it with me, but perhaps we can talk afterwards to ensure nothing has fallen through the cracks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not give a direct commitment to review the specific individual's case or address the backlog of applications.

How: Perhaps We Can Talk Afterwards

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Q3 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Asylum & Refugees
Context

12,000 Afghans are currently stranded in bridging hotels due to delays in processing their applications under the ARAP scheme. The MP is concerned about the Government's ability to deliver on new pathways.

Question

Family members of Afghan interpreters in my constituency who came to the UK under the ARAP scheme are among the 12,000 Afghans stranded in bridging hotels. That is shameful. How on earth can we trust the Government to deliver on the new pathways announced today if they have accommodated only a third of those who fled the Taliban over the last year?

Answer from James Heappey

The hon. Lady's question is well intended. We want the same thing: we want to help. It is frustrating, however. The Government were criticised for outsourcing the Ukraine refugee scheme to members of the public, yet the reality is that if the Government have to be responsible for it in its entirety, people end up being stuck in hotels until councils are willing to take people out of those hotels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or commitment to resolve accommodation issues and failed to address new pathways implementation directly.

How: We Want The Same Thing: We Want To Help, It Is Frustrating, However.

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Q4 John Baron Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

170 British Council contractors remain in Afghanistan and are at risk of their lives. 85 of these individuals have been deemed to be at very high risk by the Government.

Question

As chairman of the British Council all-party parliamentary group, I have been raising the plight of 170 British Council contractors who remain in Afghanistan in fear of their lives, 85 of whom have been deemed by the Government to be at very high risk. Given the written ministerial statement today, what assurances can the Minister give that the latter group in particular will be prioritised? They are not the only ones in fear for their lives in Afghanistan—there are many more. If he cannot give that assurance, given the urgency of the situation, will he knock on whatever door is required in Government and press upon that individual the need for action?

Answer from James Heappey

My hon. Friend has already seconded me on a number of occasions to speak to colleagues around Government on his behalf, as part of his campaigning on behalf of those who worked for the British Council. He knows, I think, that both the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Office are seized of the need to do the right thing by them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances or commitments regarding prioritisation under ACRS.

How: He Knows, I Think, That Both The Foreign, Commonwealth And Development Office And The Home Office Are Seized Of The Need To Do The Right Thing By Them.

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