Local authorities receive funding boost to support Afghan resettlement plans

Councils are set to receive a funding package to support the resettlement of families who have come to the UK having been at risk in Afghanistan.

Local authorities who support people through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) or Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme will receive £20,520 per person over three years, for resettlement and integration costs.

This is based on the previous Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, but over three rather than five years with more money provided early on to help people settle and become part of their new communities.

Local councils and health partners who resettle families will also receive up to £4,500 per child for education, £850 to cover English language provision for adults requiring this support and £2,600 to cover healthcare.

A further £20m of flexible funding will also be made available to support local authorities with any additional costs in the provision of services, and the Afghan Housing Costs Fund will increase from £5m to £17m and run for an extra two years to help provide housing and create certainty that funding will be available in the future.

Home secretary Priti Patel said: ‘The UK is a proud democratic country, so it is unimaginable for many of us to live in fear of being ourselves or not having access to even the most basic rights. That is why we are providing a safe haven in the UK for people at risk, including women and girls and minority groups, so they can rebuild their lives safely in the UK.

‘The funding we’ve announced will help new arrivals to integrate into British society, while giving councils offering support the certainty they need.’

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick added: ‘I am incredibly impressed by the positive response we’ve received from councils so far, with a large number already pledging their support. However, we urgently need more offers of accommodation to welcome Afghan families who have remained firm allies of the UK, working with our troops and our country so bravely in recent years.

‘With this extra funding in place, I’m asking all councils who have not yet come forward to contact us with a firm offer of support to help these families secure the best possible start to their new lives.’

In related news, plans to help councils and housing associations across the capital support the arrival of Afghan refugees have been announced by the Mayor of London.

Photo by Hannah Busing