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1668667

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how are decisions made on, and what is the process for, resettling more Afghans from Pakistan who are facing expulsion in addition to the 3,000 already accepted under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme; and what steps they are taking in that regard, including on prioritising the 20 female Afghan judges who are in Pakistan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
uin	HL113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Resettlement of eligible Afghans remains a top priority for this government. As of June 2023, around 24,600 vulnerable people affected by the events in Afghanistan have been brought to safety. This includes British Nationals and their families, Afghans who loyally served the UK and others identified as particularly at-risk, such as campaigners for women's rights, human rights defenders, Chevening scholars, journalists, judges and members of the LGBT+ community.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">We are aware of the recent Government of Pakistan announcements regarding Afghans in Pakistan and appreciate the impact of this on those awaiting resettlement. HMG has engaged intensively with the Government of Pakistan to secure assurances that none of those eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will be subject to deportation.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Visas continue to be issued to individuals eligible for the ACRS and ARAP schemes and flights are continuing to bring eligible Afghans to the UK.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">The ACRS is not open to applications. Instead, eligible individuals are prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK through the existing pathways under this scheme. Our Afghan schemes have been designed to be fair and equitable in identifying those in need of resettlement or relocation to the UK.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">We recognise there are many vulnerable individuals who remain in Afghanistan and the region. Whilst the government maintains a generous resettlement offer, we must recognise that the capacity of the UK to resettle people is not unlimited and difficult decisions have to be made on who will be prioritised for resettlement.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Resettlement of eligible Afghans remains a top priority for this government. As of June 2023, around 24,600 vulnerable people affected by the events in Afghanistan have been brought to safety. This includes British Nationals and their families, Afghans who loyally served the UK and others identified as particularly at-risk, such as campaigners for women’s rights, human rights defenders, Chevening scholars, journalists, judges and members of the LGBT+ community.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We are aware of the recent Government of Pakistan announcements regarding Afghans in Pakistan and appreciate the impact of this on those awaiting resettlement. HMG has engaged intensively with the Government of Pakistan to secure assurances that none of those eligible under the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will be subject to deportation.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Visas continue to be issued to individuals eligible for the ACRS and ARAP schemes and flights are continuing to bring eligible Afghans to the UK.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The ACRS is not open to applications. Instead, eligible individuals are prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK through the existing pathways under this scheme. We are not certain which female Afghan judges the question refers to; however our Afghan schemes have been designed to be fair and equitable in identifying those in need of resettlement or relocation to the UK. As has been the practice under successive governments, the Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We recognise there are many vulnerable individuals who remain in Afghanistan and the region. Whilst the UK maintains a generous resettlement offer, we must recognise that the capacity of the UK to resettle people is not unlimited, and difficult decisions have to be made on who will be prioritised for resettlement.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 22/11/2023 17:25:40 question first ministerially corrected 23/11/2023 17:45:35 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom previous answer version 2721 answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	1987 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws

1668668

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghans have been accepted under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme whose resettlement is suspended; what is the cause of, and what steps are being taken to resolve, such suspensions; and what assistance is being provided to families pending resettlement.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
uin	HL114
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2023 answer text <p>We continue to honour our commitment to bring eligible Afghans to the UK and plans are underway to relocate families as soon as possible. Data on how many Afghans have been accepted on ACRS and are in third countries is internal operational data and not for release at this time.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 22/11/2023 16:15:21 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	1987 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws

1659839

registered interest
date	11/09/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many former members of the Afghan Special Police Commando Force 333 have applied to the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy; and how many have been rejected.
tabling member printed	Lord Evans of Weardale
uin	HL10030
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2023 answer text <p>It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these figures by job role or specific unit. Not all members of the Afghan Armed Forces, including specific units such as Commando Force 333, will automatically be eligible for ARAP.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 25/09/2023 15:40:13 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	4348 label Biography information for Lord Evans of Weardale

1654551

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan have to date been relocated to the UK under (1) ARAP, (2) the Intimidation Policy, (3) the Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme, and (4) any other relevant scheme; and in each case how many were relocated (a) directly from Afghanistan, and (b) from a third country.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL9496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2023 answer text <p>Under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme we have so far relocated an estimated 12,200 individuals - principal applicants and their family members - to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>We have relocated an estimated 526 principal applicants under the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) and four principal applicants under the Intimidation Policy (IIU). Due to data constraints, we are currently unable to provide figures for Ex Gratia and Intimidation Policy principals' family members.</p><p> </p><p>We are also unable to break down figures for ARAP, EGS or IIU by job role and due to operational sensitivities, we cannot provide the requested information on locations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 02/08/2023 13:43:36 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1654552

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan who have applied to be relocated to the UK under (1) ARAP, (2) the Intimidation Policy, (3) the Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme and (4) any other relevant scheme are awaiting security clearance before travelling; and in each case how many have applied (a) directly from Afghanistan and (b) from a third country.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL9497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2023 answer text <p>We estimate that there are approximately 4,300 individuals (principal applicants plus family members) left to relocate to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).</p><p>In addition, we are supporting four individuals eligible under the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) who are still actively wishing to take up their EGS offer to relocate to the UK.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 02/08/2023 13:07:30 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1654553

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what the average waiting time between application, being granted security clearance and entering the UK is for Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL9498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2023 answer text <p>Since 2015, just over half a million people were offered safe and legal routes into the UK. This includes those from country-specific schemes from Hong Kong, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, in addition to global routes through the UNHCR and family reunion schemes.</p><p>There are a number of complex issues that can impact how swiftly individuals can relocate to the UK, and as such, individual timeframes for decisions can differ considerably. Government departments continue to work collaboratively in order to make casework decisions and ensure visas are issued as soon as is practicable, following appropriate checks including security.</p><p>More information on the number of grants of Indefinite Leave to Remain issued to Afghans resettling under the ARAP or ACRS can be viewed at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 31/07/2023 11:50:36 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth attachment 1 file name Afghan Resettlement Programme - Operational Data.pdf title Afghan Resettlement-programme-operational-data
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1654554

registered interest
date	19/07/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan that have relocated to the UK have eligible family members remaining in Afghanistan awaiting security clearance; and if any, when they expect the security clearance process to be completed.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL9499
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2023 answer text <p>Since the launch of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme in April 2021, we have received over 141,000 applications, and have relocated over 12,200 eligible individuals and their family members to safety in the UK. We are unable to breakdown our figures by specific job role.</p><p>We are committed to improving and speeding up processing times for family reunion applications. We prioritise all applications where the application has been made by an unaccompanied child, under the age of 18. We will also prioritise applications where there is an evidenced urgent or compelling reason.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 31/07/2023 11:52:11 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1611064

registered interest
date	17/04/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when Pathway 3 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme will be re-opened for at-risk Afghans.
tabling member printed	Lord McInnes of Kilwinning
uin	HL7149
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>As of 31 December 2022, the UK had granted settled status to over 7,600 individuals under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). Since then, we have welcomed the first individuals under Pathway 3. Further information on the number of individuals relocated and resettled under each Pathway of the ACRS is detailed in the quarterly Immigration Statistics. The latest release is available at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets</p><p>Under stage one of Pathway 3, places are being offered to eligible at-risk British Council contractors, GardaWorld contractors and Chevening alumni in Afghanistan or the region, and their eligible family members.</p><p>FCDO have informed over 250 individuals from these cohorts that they are eligible in principle for resettlement under Pathway 3, subject to passing security checks. Including their family members, this accounts for over 1,200 of the 1,500 available places under this stage of Pathway 3. FCDO have communicated an outcome on over 11,200 (98%) of the over 11,400 EOIs received. We look forward to welcoming all remaining individuals as soon as practicable.</p><p>We recognise there are many vulnerable individuals who remain in Afghanistan and the region. Unfortunately, the capacity of the UK to resettle people is not unlimited and difficult decisions have to be made on who will be prioritised for resettlement.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 02/05/2023 16:38:14 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth attachment 1 file name asylum-summary-dec-2022-tables (1).xlsx title asylum-and-resettlement-datasets
tabling member	4576 label Biography information for Lord McInnes of Kilwinning

1608849

registered interest
date	29/03/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many endangered Afghan journalists have been resettled in UK to date under (1) the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme, or (2) the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy, since the withdrawal of British military forces from that country.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury
uin	HL6981
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2023 answer text <p>Statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes have now also become available in the Immigration System Statistics, year ending December 2022 release.</p><p>They show that 21,387 people have now been resettled or relocated through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). This includes people identified as particularly at risk including journalists.</p><p>Whilst I am not able to provide a breakdown of this data by occupation, work continues to assure information relating to all the people resettled and relocated to the UK, under the ACRS and the ARAP, on case working systems. Once this work concludes, statistics on both schemes - including the number of people resettled under each - will be included in the published Immigration Statistics.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 14/04/2023 10:14:24 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	3699 label Biography information for Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury

1608850

registered interest
date	29/03/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to announce a third pathway under the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme; and what that pathway will include both (1) journalists still resident in Afghanistan, and (2) exiled Afghan journalists in Pakistan and Iran, at risk of persecution for their professional activities.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury
uin	HL6982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2023 answer text <p>On 13 June 2022, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office announced the launch Pathways 2 and 3 of the ACRS.</p><p>Under Pathway 3, in the first year, places are being offered to eligible at-risk British Council contractors, GardaWorld contractors, and Chevening alumni in Afghanistan or the region. We are pleased to have welcomed the first arrivals to the UK and look forward to welcoming all remaining individuals as soon as practicable.</p><p>Beyond this, we will work with international partners and NGOs to welcome wider groups of Afghans at risk under Pathway 3. This commitment still stands, and further details will be set out in due course.</p><p>However, it is important that we take into account the capacity of the UK to resettle people, and our immediate focus is ensuring the relocation of those already assessed as eligible.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth question first answered 14/04/2023 10:18:25 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	3699 label Biography information for Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury