Did you mean arab?
Leo Docherty: We continue our diplomatic efforts, including through supporting those Afghans in third countries. We have relocated more than 21,000 Afghans under the Afghans relocations and assistance policy—ARAP—and the ACRS, and we will continue to do that.
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many ARAP applicants who applied (a) before and (b) during Operation Pitting are awaiting a decision on their application from his Department.
James Heappey: In September 2023, HMG relocated three Afghans from Islamabad to the UK under the ARAP scheme. So far in October 2023, 200 ARAP-eligible Afghans have been relocated by HMG from Islamabad to the UK. No ARAP-eligible Afghans were relocated from Islamabad to another third country in the timeframe requested.
James Heappey: Not all of the cohort the hon. Member describes will be eligible for ARAP. As such, it is impossible to offer a blanket response to his question.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2023 to Question 187102, how many and what proportion of applications for relocation under the ARAP scheme by family members were not granted in each of the last 12 months.
Geoffrey Cox: ...taking to (a) assist and (b) ensure the safety of interpreters who were previously employed by UK armed forces in Afghanistan who have escaped to a third country and whose (i) application under the ARAP scheme and (ii) appeal against an unsuccessful initial application is delayed; and what steps he is taking to expedite such (A) applications and (B) appeals.
James Heappey: Should the UK's diplomatic mission return to Afghanistan in the future, then we may be in a position to offer in-country support under Category 3 of the ARAP scheme. It is because of this that the category currently remains open.
Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people from Afghanistan who were resettled to the UK under the (a) ARAP and (b) ACRS remain in a bridging hotel after their notice to quit date has passed because they have not found alternative accommodation as of 13 October 2023.
Robert Jenrick: ...affected by events in Afghanistan to safety. This includes those evacuated under Operation Pitting and those resettled and relocated under the ACRS and Afghans Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). The ACRS is one of the most ambitious resettlement schemes in our countries history and provides those affected by events in Afghanistan with a safe and legal route to the UK.
Robert Jenrick: ...affected by events in Afghanistan to safety. This includes those evacuated under Operation Pitting and those resettled and relocated under the ACRS and Afghans Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). The ACRS is one of the most ambitious resettlement schemes in our countries history and provides those affected by events in Afghanistan with a safe and legal route to the UK.
Robert Jenrick: ...to support safe passage for eligible Afghans. We also continue to welcome individuals to the UK through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Robert Jenrick: ...to support safe passage for eligible Afghans. We also continue to welcome individuals to the UK through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Robert Jenrick: ...GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (published on 24 August 2023). The latest published statistics show that both the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) have resettled a total of 21,526 people since the schemes began to operate.
Leo Docherty: We are not aware of any eligible individuals under either the ARAP (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) or ACRS (Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme) Pathway 3 schemes in refugee camps in Pakistan. Other schemes are for the Home Office to answer. We are monitoring the situation closely and the British High Commission is in frequent contact with the Pakistani authorities to try and ensure...
Lord Sharpe of Epsom: My Lords, the ARAP scheme offers relocation to Afghans who worked with us in Afghanistan. The ACRS is designed to support those who have assisted with UK efforts in Afghanistan, including with the British Council, as well as vulnerable people. As of August 2023, we have relocated approximately 12,300 ARAP and 9,700 ACRS-eligible individuals. We will ensure that all eligible British Council...
Robert Jenrick: ...to support safe passage for eligible Afghans. We also continue to welcome individuals to the UK through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2023 to Question 187102 on Afghanistan: Refugees, how many ARAP-eligible family members have had their applications declined in the last 12 months.
Robert Jenrick: I will finish this point and then I will give way, to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas) first. All Afghans relocated to the UK through ACRS and the ARAP programme are immediately granted indefinite leave to remain, including the immediate right to work, alongside access to the benefits system, healthcare, education and employment support. I will give way to the hon....
Robert Jenrick: The Ministry of Defence first consider all applications under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Afghan citizens and their family members assessed as eligible for relocation will then be referred to the Home Office for permission to enter the UK. As of June 2023, we have relocated over c.12,200 people under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy Scheme (ARAP)...
Baroness Goldie: The ARAP scheme provides relocation or other assistance specifically to Afghan nationals who worked for or alongside UK forces in support of the UK's mission in Afghanistan, as set out in the specific eligibility criteria in the ARAP policy. Members of the Afghan national security forces such as Commando Force 333 "whilst their efforts heroic" are not automatically in scope for relocation...
