PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Afghanistan: Refugees (9 November 2021)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will include people in Afghanistan who have been previously funded by the Cultural Protection Fund in the selection criteria for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme.

Asked by:
Fleur Anderson (Labour)

Answer

Under Categories 1-2 of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy only current or former Locally Employed Staff that were employed by Her Majesty's Government (HMG) or who were contracted to provide linguistic services in support of UK Armed Forces would be considered eligible for relocation to the UK.

There is some discretion under Category 4 of the ARAP to consider, on a case-by-case and exceptional basis, those who worked in meaningful enabling roles alongside HMG, in extraordinary and unconventional contexts, and where a responsible HMG unit builds a credible case for consideration under the scheme.

Individuals may also be eligible for the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) when it becomes available. Through the ACRS, the UK will relocate up to 20,000 people at risk, including women and girls and minority groups, so they can rebuild their lives in safety. The scheme is not yet open and remains under development.


Answered by:
James Heappey (Conservative)
16 November 2021

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