Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2022 to Question 126521, on Afghanistan: Chevening Scholarships Programme, what steps his Department is taking to support Chevening students from Afghanistan whose biometric residence permits have expired to find secure accommodation and employment in the UK.

We are aware that there are Chevening scholars from Afghanistan for the academic year 2020-21 whose biometric residence permits have expired. We are working with the Home Office to clarify options for this group to regularise their stay. Hardship funds have been provided to eligible scholars from this cohort this financial year.