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<p>The UK Government undertook the biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent
history, helping over 15,000 people to safety from Afghanistan. Due to the scale and
pace of the evacuation we were not able to source appropriate accommodation in the
normal way, so we have had to use hotels as a temporary measure.</p><p>We do not want
to keep families or individuals in temporary accommodation any longer than they need
to be. It is important that they move into more permanent settled accommodation so
that they can begin to rebuild their lives here in the UK. Over 4000 Afghans have
already moved, or are in the process of being moved, into their permanent accommodation.</p><p>We
are grateful to those local authorities who have already stepped forward to offer
accommodation and we would like to encourage those local authorities who have not
yet pledged support to consider offering to do so.</p><p>Afghans still temporarily
accommodated in hotels are provided with meals and have access to healthcare, education,
as well as support to seek employment opportunities or claim Universal Credit.</p><p>Until
11<sup>th</sup> February 2022 as well as accommodation and meals, additional items
such as non-essential toiletries and over-the-counter medication were provided free
of charge to guests in hotels as an interim measure before the grant of Universal
Credit to them. However, these items are no longer being provided for those guests
who are in receipt of Universal Credit. It is expected that the provision of Universal
Credit will cover the cost of these items. This is in line with the approach taken
to those in the UK population in receipt of Universal Credit. Meals, baby milk and
baby food will continue to be provided.</p><p> </p>
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