Local authorities urged to step up efforts to resettle Afghans

Local councils are being urges to step up efforts to provide permanent homes for Afghans who fled the Taliban and are currently living in temporary hotel accommodation.

Temporary hotel accommodation is costing around £1 million a day.

The minister for veterans’ affairs Johnny Mercer MP, called on local authorities to do everything they can to make use of the Government’s £285 million package of re-housing support.

Mercer previously fought in Afghanistan and is now coordinating the Government’s resettlement support for Afghans who arrived under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Afghans currently living in bridging accommodation are entitled to a range of support to find settled accommodation. Those who arrived through what the government deem "safe and legal" routes are entitled to the right to work, access to healthcare, and recourse to public funds.

Mercer said: "We owe a debt of gratitude to Afghans who have moved to the UK under our resettlement schemes.

"But hotel accommodation must end - it’s unfair on the Afghans living in them, unable to put down more permanent roots, and it is unfair on the taxpayer, who is currently footing the bill.

"To do this we’ve put in place extensive support, which local authorities can use in a variety of ways to support Afghans into permanent accommodation including funding for deposits, rent top ups and furniture, as well as bespoke advice from staff in hotels."

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