Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme

Tuesday 13 December 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK has resettled more than 6,300 people through various resettlement schemes.
  • Government aims to offer up to 1,500 places for Afghan refugees in pathway 3 of the scheme.
  • FCDO has received 11,400 expressions of interest and is working to process them.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sam Tarry
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP inquired about the humanitarian aid and resettlement efforts provided by the UK government to Afghans, both within Afghanistan and those fleeing the country.

Question

What humanitarian support is his Department providing to Afghan people (a) in and (b) fleeing Afghanistan. The UK has a responsibility towards those affected by the ongoing crisis and the MP seeks details on specific measures taken to assist them.

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK has already resettled more than 6,300 people through various resettlement schemes. In the first phase of the Afghan resettlement scheme pathway 3, we will offer up to 1,500 places. We have received 11,400 expressions of interest and are working through those quickly. We have disbursed £228 million since April 2022, on top of £286 million in aid for Afghanistan last financial year.

Answered
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Q2 Caroline Lucas Green
Asylum & Refugees Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP raised concerns about delays and inefficiencies in the UK's Afghan resettlement scheme, pointing out that zero Afghans have been resettled under the ACRS. She highlighted specific cases of individuals living in fear for over 16 months.

Question

The Foreign Secretary says he is working quickly, yet no Afghans have been resettled under the ACRS. With only 400 places offered out of more than 11,000 applicants and a target to help 20,000 people over five years, will the Government urgently supercharge the scheme, increase staff numbers, and allow those in danger to come now?

Answer from James Cleverly

I have to correct the hon. Lady. She says that we have not made any resettlements under the ACRS. As I said in my answer, we have granted indefinite leave to remain to 6,300 eligible people. We are working on pathway 3 which will help only 400 applicants and their families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Urgent supercharging of the scheme and immediate resettlement of at-risk individuals

How: Correcting Misinformation, Referring To Previous Response

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Q3 Sam Tarry
Immigration Asylum & Refugees Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed deep concern over the harrowing experiences of his casework team, dealing with stories of murder and fear from Afghanistan. He noted that only four Afghans have been resettled under the ACRS and asked about support for those stuck in Pakistan.

Question

My team heard countless brutal stories of people being murdered while on the phone to my casework team. The FCDO must do more to ensure that people do not die at the hands of the Taliban. Only four Afghans have been resettled under the ACRS; I want to know what support is offered to Afghan refugees in Pakistan and how the Foreign Secretary will work with Home Office colleagues to sort out this resettlement mess promptly.

Answer from James Cleverly

I have to correct the hon. Gentleman. He said that only four people had been settled under the ACRS. Around 6,300 eligible people have been granted indefinite leave to remain under the referral pathways of the ACRS. We will continue to work across HMG and with our international partners to resettle at-risk Afghans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan

How: Correcting Misinformation, Referring To Previous Response

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