Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to include British Embassy Life Support Contractors employed by KBR/TWG estates contractors explicitly in the eligibility criteria for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme.

Under Categories 1-2 of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy only current or former Locally Employed Staff that were employed by Her Majesty's Government (HMG) or who were contracted to provide linguistic services in support of UK Armed Forces would be considered eligible for relocation to the UK.

There is some discretion under Category 4 of the ARAP to consider, on a case-by-case and exceptional basis, those who worked in meaningful enabling roles alongside HMG, in extraordinary and unconventional contexts, and where a responsible HMG unit builds a credible case for consideration under the scheme.

Individuals may also be eligible for the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) now up and running under the auspices of the Home Office. Through the ACRS, the UK will relocate up to 20,000 at risk Afghans so they can rebuild their lives in safety.