Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) Afghan interpreters, and (2) family members of Afghan interpreters, have been cleared for relocation to the UK but are awaiting transfer; how long on average they have been waiting; and when they anticipate relocations to take place.

Through the Ex-Gratia Scheme, 445 former Locally Employed Civilians (LECs - this includes interpreters) and their families have relocated to the UK. This means that Her Majesty's Government has already supported over 1,300 individuals in creating new lives in the UK. A further 350 staff have benefitted from our in-country finance and training packages.

There are two former LECs cleared for relocation to the UK but who are awaiting transfer. These two former LECs between them have seven family members who have also been cleared for relocation. There are a further nine family members of other former LECs whose visas have been accepted and who have been referred to Local Authorities in advance of their relocation.

Verifications were completed in January 2020, so the average wait time is circa eight months. However, there has been an adverse impact on relocations from the COVID 19 pandemic; it has affected all parties to the process, from the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office to Local Authorities and partners such as the Afghan Government and the International Organization for Migration. Subject to conditions outside of our control we expect all these individuals to be relocated in the next 12 months.