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Support for Afghan arrivals in the UK
Created: 05/09/2021
News/Events Category: General NewsA significant cross-government effort is underway, ‘Operation Warm Welcome’, to ensure Afghans arriving in the UK receive the vital support they need to rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities.
The UK government announced that those coming to the UK through resettlement routes would receive immediate indefinite leave to remain. On 01 September 2021 the Home Secretary announced that this will apply to Afghans who worked closely with the British military and UK Government in Afghanistan, and risked their lives in doing so, meaning they can now stay in the UK without any time restrictions.
The support for Afghan arrivals includes:
- £3 million of additional NHS funding so that Afghans arriving under the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme can access healthcare and register with a GP once they leave quarantine;
- all are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine;
- £5 million funding for councils in England, Wales and Scotland to support Afghans coming to the UK via the ARAP scheme and provide a top up to help meet the costs of renting properties;
- the Government is already working with more than 100 councils across the UK to meet the demand for housing, with over 2,000 places already confirmed;
- the Communities Secretary will convene a roundtable with council leaders from across the country;
- to harness the generosity of the British public and make sure those who want to help know where to turn DWP will launch an online portal to allow people to submit offers of support for people arriving from Afghanistan;
- this portal is already available to submit offers of housing and work is now underway to expand this to further offers, such as job opportunities, professional skills training or donations of items like clothes or toys; and
- £200 million has been committed to meet the cost of the first year of the Afghanistan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme, which aims to welcome up to 20,000 Afghans.
People already relocated to the UK under the ARAP scheme will be able to apply free of charge to convert their temporary leave into indefinite leave. This will give Afghans the certainty and stability to rebuild their lives with unrestricted rights to work and the option to apply for British citizenship in the future.
The leave granted to those resettled in the UK ensures access to benefits and services, and the Department for Work and Pensions are working with local authorities to ensure individuals can access DWP services as quickly as possible. Repatriated Afghans will also have the right to work, and jobcentre teams will be there to help them.
If you wish to help with employing people from these groups, please contact the DWP at [email protected].
Property owners or organisations who may be able to assist can get in touch through the GOV.UK portal.
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