spherical 240 Afghans who assisted British forces in Afghanistan are ready to be relocated regardless of being promised safety no less than six months in the past, in accordance with official figures.
The Authorities has been accused of “failing” Afghan nationals in danger after the Taliban swept again into energy in August 2021, with the Liberal Democrats describing the scenario as “scandalous”.
The roughly 240 individuals are eligible underneath the Afghan Relocations and Help Coverage (Arap), which was set as much as help former regionally employed employees in Afghanistan and relocate them to the UK.
Defence minister James Heappey stated the Authorities is relocating individuals as rapidly as potential however that there are “a spread of potential points which may delay the motion of people”, together with documentation and safety issues.
Britain has an ethical responsibility to help and defend them
Labour shadow defence secretary John Healey stated: “The Conservatives are failing Afghans who supported our armed forces.
“The Authorities is solely not coping with Arap relocations and functions quick sufficient, whereas Afghans who labored alongside UK personnel are at grave threat from the Taliban. Britain has an ethical responsibility to help and defend them.”
“Ministers urgently want to repair the Arap scheme.”
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Jamie Stone added: “The variety of individuals promised safety underneath the Arap scheme and never but relocated to the UK is scandalous.
“These individuals put their lives on the road to assist UK forces through the battle, and had been promised the possibility to begin a brand new life right here within the UK.
“As a substitute, they’ve been left in limbo by the Conservative Authorities. I urge the Defence Secretary to resolve this challenge instantly.”
Thus far, round 10,000 individuals have been delivered to the UK underneath the Arap scheme because it was launched in 2021.
However the Authorities has come underneath sustained criticism all through the method over the velocity of relocations and issues for many who had been nonetheless in Afghanistan and probably in danger when the Taliban took over the nation final yr.
Responding to a written parliamentary query from Labour, defence minister Mr Heappey stated: “As of August 31 2022, we’re conscious of roughly 240 Afghan Relocations and Help Coverage eligible principals, who acquired an eligibility resolution both on or prior to twenty-eight February 28 2022, that haven’t been relocated to the UK.
“We’re relocating people and their members of the family as rapidly as potential and have relocated over a thousand people over the summer time interval.
“There are a selection of potential points which may delay the motion of people, together with documentation and safety issues however we’re actively speaking with all people to take away these limitations as rapidly as potential.”
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