Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

British Council Contractors in Afghanistan

11 January 2023 · 6 other contributors · 3,858 words

Opened by John Baron Con Basildon and Billericay

Responding minister: Leo Docherty

ImmigrationForeign Affairs

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Baron raised concerns about british council contractors in afghanistan in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about British Council contractors in Afghanistan, with around 200 individuals stranded and at risk.
  • Half of the applicants under the Afghan Citizens' Return Scheme have received a place pending security checks, while the rest remain without updates.
  • MPs ask the government to confirm steps being taken to facilitate the safe exit of contractors, including urging third countries for flexibility on paperwork.

Key requests to Government

The Minister is asked to confirm if around half of contractors have been given the go-ahead under ACRS and what steps are being taken to facilitate their safe exit, including urging third countries for flexibility on paperwork. The lead MP also questions why no one has been relocated in the past year and pleads for an end to any quota system that could prevent these individuals from seeking safety.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

John Baron Con Basildon and Billericay

The British Council contractors who worked for the UK in Afghanistan are stranded and at risk, with around 200 individuals still remaining in high-risk categories. Despite an application window opening last summer under the Afghan Citizens' Return Scheme (ACRS), only half of applicants have received a place pending security checks by December, and the rest remain unheard from. Contractors face significant barriers such as lack of necessary ID and travel documents due to fear and displacement.

Other contributors (6)
  • Flick Drummond

    Agrees with concerns about the UK's global reputation due to failure to honour promises made to Afghan workers, emphasizing the importance of goodwill in future aid efforts.

  • Giles Watling

    The situation in Afghanistan is damaging the principle of asylum and harming our commitment to Afghan contractors. Failing to support these allies undermines public trust in the asylum system, leading to isolationist policies. The west's abandonment of Afghanistan allowed for geopolitical instability, affecting global energy markets.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends John Baron for his perseverance and supports the call to review the effectiveness of refugee policy. Notes that fewer than 10 staff in the FCDO are working on resettlement since last month, despite the programme being open for over a year.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Reminds the House of a previous case involving Afghan interpreters and urges for a meeting to discuss matters related to British Council contractors, referencing a Defence Committee report from 2017-2019.

  • Margaret Ferrier

    Congratulates John Baron on securing the debate and agrees that British Council contractors' eligibility for ACRS highlights the need to review refugee policy urgently.

  • Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham

    The Select Committee on International Development found that the ARAP and ACRS schemes are too restrictive and slow, especially for NGOs like the British Council. These schemes are failing Afghan citizens who implemented UK development programmes and now need safe passage to the UK.

Government Response

Leo Docherty

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon and Billericay for his continued advocacy on behalf of British Council contractors in Afghanistan. A considerable number of principals have been processed, with almost 300 dependants notified; some 47 others have recently been contacted for resettlement processing. The UK has worked closely with third countries like Pakistan and Uzbekistan during Operation Pitting to extract these individuals safely, despite diplomatic challenges. We do not see quotas as an upper limit but rather a measuring tool, with another cohort established from June this year. Security constraints imposed by the Taliban regime remain the primary limiting factor for onward movement of contractors rather than bureaucratic or procedural hurdles.

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