Minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Afghan Locally Employed Staff Relocation Scheme Acceleration

Minutes:

1        AFGHAN LOCALLY EMPLOYED STAFF RELOCATION SCHEME ACCELERATION - The Directors: Children and Community Resilience and Adults and Community Wellbeing submitted a joint report clarifying the Afghan Locally Employed Staff Relocation Scheme and seeking approval for the council to support the acceleration of relocations under the scheme.

 

The Government had been running a scheme to relocate Afghan locally employed staff (LES) to the UK since 2013, in recognition of their commitment and bravery shown in supporting UK forces and the risks involved.  Under the new relocation policy launched in April 2021, the Government assessment was that around 1000 Afghan LES and their families, giving an estimated total of between 3000 and 5000 individuals, may be eligible to apply for five years ‘Leave to Enter the UK’ with a pathway for resettlement thereafter. 

 

Following the announcement that NATO military forces would withdraw from Afghanistan, the Government intended to accelerate the pace of relocations under the scheme.  The precise number of people, and the timing of their relocation to the UK, would depend on a number of factors, including the wishes of families themselves.  For planning purposes, the Government believed that they should be prepared to relocate up to 600 families over the summer, with the first of the relocations beginning in the middle of June.  However, it was of note that there was no cut-off date, and the Government would continue to fulfil their obligations to all those eligible, whenever they decided to apply.

 

A collaborative, cross government approach was being taken to support the effective integration of all those LES who chose to come to the UK including engagement with councils and each of the 11 Strategic Migration Partnerships across the UK.  

 

Councils received a letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Defence and the Home Office seeking support in the accelerated relocation of LES, who had been supporting the UK in Afghanistan.  From a North Lincolnshire perspective, the suggested allocation was eight people if 3000 and 13 people if 5000.  This was likely to constitute either two or three households. 

 

Resolved – (a) That the council recognises its moral obligation to those who had supported our armed forces and agrees to be part of the Afghan Locally Employed Staff Relocation Scheme and (b) that the proposal to support the acceleration of relocations under the scheme be approved.