Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Afghan refugees aged 16 to 24 who have arrived since January will be eligible for the Kickstart Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
All refugees brought to the UK through the Afghanistan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) have the right to work and will have support in finding employment as part of a comprehensive integration package.
The Department for Work and Pensions will support Afghan refugees who are eligible for the Kickstart Scheme to access it if it is appropriate to their needs.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to help recently arrived Afghan refugees find employment.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
Those coming from Afghanistan to the UK on the resettlement programmes will have the right to work here from day one, as well as immediate access to the benefit system and our existing employment offer, including our £30 billion Plan for Jobs.
Direct, personalised support is available from experienced work coaches in the temporary hotel accommodation where Afghans are staying across the country. Work coaches are there to help with any claims or queries and to provide tailored employment support. Resettling Afghans will also have access to our Refugee Leads Network, which links Jobcentres and organisations working with refugees and those on resettlement programmes, to help them integrate and find employment in local areas. We will also work to ensure that English as a Second or Other Language provision, and other support, is available to those that need it.