Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have held, if any, about the rates of pay of interpreters contracted to work for the Home Office Interpreter Operations Unit, and what the outcome of those consultations has been.
Answered by Lord Bates
In November 2015 the Interpreter Operations Unit wrote to all interpreters registered to work on behalf of the Home Office informing them of plans to change their rates of pay from January 2016. Some discussions were held with interpreter representatives in December 2015. All proposed changes are currently on hold pending a further internal review of existing pay and conditions. This review will take place in 2016/17.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will intervene in the case of Momand Qais, an interpreter for the UK armed forces in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2009, whose application for asylum has been rejected, together with his appeal against that decision.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Home Office does not comment publicly on individual cases.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) Afghan interpreters, and (2) members of their immediate families, have been relocated to the UK under (a) the <i>ex gratia</i> redundancy scheme, and (b) the intimidation policy.
Answered by Lord Bates
Up to the end of November, 230 Afghan locally engaged civilians along with 297 members of their families have been relocated to the UK under the ex gratia redundancy scheme.
No locally engaged civilians have been relocated to the UK under the current intimidation policy. One former staff member was relocated to the UK under a previous version of the policy.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which United Kingdom authorities are participating in the scheme to receive relocated Afghan interpreters.
Answered by Lord Bates
To date 17 local authorities have received relocated Afghans under the Afghan Locally Engaged Civilian Ex Gratia Scheme. It would not be appropriate for us to release details of where individuals are currently being placed or where they may be placed in the future, as this may undermine their privacy.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who will be responsible for providing the Afghan interpreters granted visas to relocate to the United Kingdom with information on and assistance with access to any social, welfare or housing benefits and services to which they are entitled.
Answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Those arriving in the UK under the ex gratia scheme for Afghan locally engaged civilians, including interpreters, will have full entitlement to access
employment.
A package of advice and assistance including how to access benefits and services will be available to those arriving in the UK under the ex gratia scheme for locally engaged staff. This will be delivered by the local authorities (or their partners) participating in the scheme.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Afghan interpreters granted visas to relocate to the United Kingdom will have the right to work without restriction.
Answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
Those arriving in the UK under the ex gratia scheme for Afghan locally engaged civilians, including interpreters, will have full entitlement to access
employment.
A package of advice and assistance including how to access benefits and services will be available to those arriving in the UK under the ex gratia scheme for locally engaged staff. This will be delivered by the local authorities (or their partners) participating in the scheme.