Latest news with #AfghanResettlementProgramme
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Highland barracks' role in resettling Afghans to end
The 140-year-old Cameron Barracks in Inverness is to be phased out from use as a place for housing Afghans who risked their lives helping the UK armed forces. The UK was part of a US-led military coalition which withdraw from Afghanistan in August 2021 after 20 years of conflict. Cameron Barracks has been used as temporary accommodation for families relocated to the UK under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the barracks, along with other military sites, were being returned to full use by the armed forces due to heightened global tensions. Eleven families from Afghanistan have been relocated to the Highland Council area since December 2023. The local authority said the MoD had offered eight homes it owns as alternative temporary accommodation to the former army depot. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds MoD sites have been used as transitional accommodation since 2021 when the UK government's resettlement programme started. Families are provided with temporary housing for a maximum of nine months while more permanent homes are found for them. Afghans supported UK armed forces personnel in various roles, including as interpreters. The MoD said Cameron Barracks, and its other properties, had offered a "safe, interim" solution. But UK ministers decided last December that use of the barracks and other MoD bases would be reduced, and replaced by hotels and rented accommodation. An MoD spokesperson said: "The defence estate is not an enduring solution and must return to its original purpose – to accommodate our armed forces and their families, and to combat the acute threats and destabilising behaviour of our adversaries." In December, senior military figures warned that Russia, China, Iran and North Korea posed an increasing threat to UK security. A report to Highland Council's housing and property committee said Cameron Barracks was expected to be phased out of use over the spring and summer. A spokesperson said Highland, like all Scottish councils, would continue discussions with local authorities body Cosla on how humanitarian and resettlement programmes could be delivered in the coming months. They said: "The Home Office is the lead agency for refugee resettlement and Highland will await further announcements in due course on this issue." The main focus of the report is to seek councillors' support for an application for a City of Sanctuary award. The designation, which would be sought for the whole council area, would recognise the Highlands as safe and welcoming for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people. Highland Council has housed families from Syria and Ukraine. Edinburgh and Glasgow are part of the City of Sanctuary network. Highland's housing and property committee is due to discuss a bid at a meeting next week. Cameron Barracks on the city's Perth road was opened in 1884 as an infantry depot. For years it served as a base for the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. In the past, soldiers complained about the barracks' poor drains and they required "frequent clearing". Highland Council
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council helps Afghan residents fleeing home country
A Berkshire town will welcome 300 Afghan residents who have fled their home country in the coming months. Bracknell Forest Council is participating in the government's Afghan Resettlement Programme, which offers relocation to its citizens. Around 300 Afghans will be supported, with additional residents expected in the future. The authority said the programme would start in the spring and it does not yet know how many more residents will arrive, or when. Those being resettled worked for, or with, the UK government to support its mission in Afghanistan - or are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban, which took control of the country in 2021. Many Afghans who worked to help the UK mission in Afghanistan, including in specialist units, have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. They are also not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees, the council said. The programme comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said local authorities were "essential to make this vision a reality". Families will arrive in three groups and can stay up to nine months in their transitional accommodation, while searching for a permanent home. Leader of Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said: "We have a long history of being kind, supportive and caring to people who have experienced trauma and turbulence in their lives, meaning they can no longer stay safely in their home country." Funding for the national scheme has come from the government and does not impact local council tax. The authority is also working with NHS Frimley to offer support to new patients in the area and explained the location of transitional accommodation would not be disclosed. Ms Temperton added Bracknell Forest needed "to play our part" by offering "safe and secure" homes to the new residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Council to buy more homes for refugees Refugee runner is Afghan women's 'voice for change' Council given money to house Afghan refugees Village meeting held ahead of arrival of Afghans Group's three-year mission to welcome refugee family Bracknell Forest Council
BBC News
07-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bracknell Forest Council joins scheme helping Afghan residents
A Berkshire town will welcome 300 Afghan residents who have fled their home country in the coming Forest Council is participating in the government's Afghan Resettlement Programme, which offers relocation to its 300 Afghans will be supported, with additional residents expected in the future. The authority said the programme would start in the spring and it does not yet know how many more residents will arrive, or when. Those being resettled worked for, or with, the UK government to support its mission in Afghanistan - or are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban, which took control of the country in Afghans who worked to help the UK mission in Afghanistan, including in specialist units, have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the are also not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees, the council programme comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said local authorities were "essential to make this vision a reality". 'Play our part' Families will arrive in three groups and can stay up to nine months in their transitional accommodation, while searching for a permanent of Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said: "We have a long history of being kind, supportive and caring to people who have experienced trauma and turbulence in their lives, meaning they can no longer stay safely in their home country."Funding for the national scheme has come from the government and does not impact local council authority is also working with NHS Frimley to offer support to new patients in the area and explained the location of transitional accommodation would not be Temperton added Bracknell Forest needed "to play our part" by offering "safe and secure" homes to the new residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
