PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Afghanistan: Immigration (18 August 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will expand the Afghan Interpreters Scheme to people engaged in UK-linked initiatives and human rights activists at risk of being targeted by the Taliban.

Asked by:
Fleur Anderson (Labour)

The Government is strongly committed to fulfilling its responsibilities to current and former locally employed staff in Afghanistan. The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme is not time-limited and will endure, remaining open indefinitely to Afghan allies who were directly employed by Her Majesty's Government.

For those not eligible under the ARAP scheme, including human rights activists and employees of UK-linked initiatives, the Home Office is establishing the details of the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). This scheme will provide protection for those identified as most at risk, such as women and girls. The Government has committed to take around 5,000 refugees in the first year and up to 20,000 over the coming years, making this one of the most comprehensive resettlement schemes the UK has ever established.

Answered by:
James Heappey (Conservative)
6 September 2021