Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Friday, 19 November 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 November 2021. It was answered by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Monday, 29 November 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on Government plans to bring Afghan political refugees with family in the UK to the UK.

Answer: Providing assistance to those individuals eligible for HMG support remains a top priority. We have created a new Joint Afghanistan Casework Unit (JACU), staffed by officials from the FCDO, Home Office and Ministry of Defence, which is taking forward the UK's commitment to resettle individuals and those family members confirmed to be eligible. We will continue to work to take advantage of all opportunities to help those eligible to come to the UK to leave Afghanistan. We have also announced the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), which in its first year will welcome up to 5,000 vulnerable Afghans to the UK who have been forced to flee the country, with up to a total of 20,000 over the coming years. ACRS will provide protection for Afghan citizens at risk, including women and girls and members of minority groups, and who have stood up for our democratic values in Afghanistan.

Secondary information