United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has welcomed Afghans to the country, stating that it would give its full support to the arrivals.
The UK government disclosed that arrivals under Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)will be given immediate indefinite leave to remain, alongside funding for school places and healthcare.
The government noted that those relocated to the UK under the ARAP can apply free of charge to convert their temporary leave into indefinite leave, which will give them the certainty and stability to rebuild their lives with unrestricted rights to work and the option to apply for British citizenship in the future.
In regards to education for children and young adults, the government disclosed that at least £12 million will be made available to prioritize additional school places so children can be enrolled as soon as possible, and to provide school transport, specialist teachers and English language support to assist with learning.
The government added that further funding will be provided for up to 300 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for Afghans at UK universities and adults will also be able to access English language courses free of charge, which will enable them be fully integrated into their local communities.
Families who need support navigating the system will also have access to liaison officers who can work with local authorities to help them get set up with a GP, National Insurance number, school place, accommodation and more tailored support, as required.
Boris Johnson said that the country owes an immense debt to those who worked with the Armed Forces in Afghanistan, stating that their families will be given the support to build their lives in the UK.
He noted that the support for Afghan arrivals follows the largest and most complex evacuation in living memory, which 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 and so far more than 700 arrivals under the ARAP scheme have left quarantine and received their first vaccination, with more leaving and receiving a jab each day; £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;
Others includes: 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 in the coming days; to harness the generosity of the British public and make sure those who want to help know where to turn we 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.
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