Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) (a) principals and (b) dependents are currently being housed in bridging hotels following their relocation to the UK under that scheme.

The Government continues to work at pace, in collaboration with over 350 local authorities across the UK, to meet the demand for housing. Alongside this, we are reaching out to landlords, developers, and the wider private rented sector to encourage further offers of properties.

All those resettling under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) or Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), have recourse to public funds and the right to work and study.

We are working intensely across government, and in partnership with c.350 local authorities across the country to both bring down the number of people in bridging hotels and move families into more sustainable accommodation as quickly as possible so they can put down permanent roots. Local authorities currently receive integration tariff funding of £20,520 per person, over three years, for each Afghan family they resettle and provide full integration support to for this duration.

The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of local housing accommodation for all, and we acknowledge that sourcing appropriate accommodation for Afghan families can be a complex process due to the diverse needs of those we are supporting. However, this government will remain committed to ensuring each and every Afghan family resettling in the UK has a permanent home. Whilst hotels do not provide a long-term solution, they do offer safe, secure and clean accommodation.

Statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes is available in the Immigration System Statistics, year ending December 2022 release.