Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghan Citizens: Asylum Policies 2022-09-05 (2)

Monday 5 September 2022 · 2 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Olney asked about support for Afghan citizens under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
  • The government provides support for access to public services including housing and education for relocated Afghan citizens.
  • Approximately 10,000 Afghans remain in hotels across the country, and the government is working with local authorities to address housing needs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Immigration NHS Education
Context

The question arises from the ongoing challenges faced by Afghans relocated to the UK under two schemes. Around 7,400 people have been moved into new homes since June 2021.

Question

What steps she is taking to support Afghan citizens relocated to the UK under the (a) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and (b) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy?

Answer from Kevin Foster

Together with our colleagues in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities we provide a range of support in accessing public services including essentials such as school places for children and housing. Around 7,400 people have moved, or are in the process of being moved, into new homes since the first ARAP flights in June 2021, an unprecedented rate of resettlement.

Answered
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Q2 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Around 10,000 Afghans remain stuck in hotels across the country at a cost of £1 million per day. The issue is due to the Government's failure to work effectively with local authorities.

Question

Of those who have arrived in the UK, around 10,000 Afghans remain stuck in hotels up and down the country at a cost to the public of £1 million a day. Most of them have been there for a year now, left in limbo due to the Government's failure to work effectively with local authorities. Will the Minister commit to opening up safe and legal routes so that those in Afghanistan who are at risk can come to the UK? That also requires working constructively with local authorities so that Afghans in this country can finally start their new lives properly, in a home rather than a hotel room.

Answer from Kevin Foster

We are working constructively with 350 local authorities to ensure people get the accommodation they need. Given the cohort, that is clearly a challenge as there are large families and a balance needs to be struck with local authorities meeting their housing duties to local people. This also involves working with others, but we are grateful to see the number of local authorities taking part; their reaction is far better than that of the Lib Dem leader of my local council who initially, until he made a U-turn, refused to take part.

Not addressed: Commitment to open up safe and legal routes for those at risk in Afghanistan

How: Changed Subject By Discussing The Reaction Of Local Authorities, Criticising Opposition

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