Afghan families cleared for sanctuary in Britain must escape the Taliban-controlled nation ly, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Minister’s Statement on Relocation Policy
Defence minister Luke Pollard delivered a written statement to the House of Commons stating that the nearly 9,000 Afghans eligible for UK relocation but still in Afghanistan will receive no assistance to depart. They must “make their own way to a third country when they are able to do so,” Pollard explained, with housing and visa support provided until 2028.
Pollard noted that some eligible individuals have already relocated to third countries like Pakistan this year. The decision follows assessments of successful self-relocations, risks to the group, and taxpayer value, leading to the termination of in-country evacuation support.
Background on Afghan Resettlement Efforts
The National Audit Office reported in March that completing relocations for all promised individuals would require nearly three more years without accelerated action. Afghan resettlement schemes halted new applications in July 2024, shortly after an MoD data leak exposed applicants’ details, endangering thousands of lives.
Eligibility stems from prior support for UK forces in Afghanistan or involvement in the leaked data. Ministers previously pledged to relocate all under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) by March 2029, but Pollard announced a December 2028 deadline, after which all support ends.
Housing Changes and Legal Challenges
The MoD has discontinued short-term housing on defence estates for Afghan families, as Pollard told MPs that “we cannot sustain ARP support indefinitely.” Currently, six hotels accommodate these families, with two set to close imminently.
Two Afghans approved for UK relocation are contesting the MoD’s refusal to assist their departure in the High Court.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
Dr Sara de Jong, a founding member of the Sulha alliance supporting former Afghan military interpreters, reacted strongly: “The MoD’s announcement to stop in-country support for moving safely out of Afghanistan will come as a complete shock to Afghans with a relocation offer. The fact that some have been able to escape doesn’t mean that that option is open to everyone.”
She added: “Those who can’t take the risk to go out of hiding to get the paperwork and don’t have the financial means to pay hugely inflated visa prices are now abandoned. The statement also ignores the ongoing security issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which makes moving even more challenging.”
