London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Military data collectors to help Home Office settle Afghan refugees

Military data collectors to help Home Office settle Afghan refugees

Lack of accurate information on 7,000 Afghans evacuated in August slowing process of finding them homes
The military has been called in to collect data on thousands of Afghan refugees currently living in hotels amid claims the Home Office is struggling to amass the correct details.

Soldiers are visiting more than 80 hotels that are still being used as “bridging accommodation” to house more than 7,000 Afghans who were evacuated to the UK in August.

The refugees are living in temporary accommodation while the Home Office finds them permanent housing. Concerns have been raised about the lack of essential items and support due to the lack of accurate information on many of the Afghan nationals and their children who were evacuated to the UK in August.

As a result, the Home Office made a military assistance to the civil authorities (Maca) request for assistance in improving the data on the families.

The military has been instructed to gather data on how best to match individuals and families into settled housing.

This includes gathering information on their levels of English and where their individual needs would result in the most successful integration, such as finding any local connections Afghans may have in the UK.

Home Office officials have refused to guarantee that all Afghans would be moved out of hotel accommodation by Christmas.

More than 8,000 Afghan nationals were evacuated to the UK in August under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap).

The department has struggled to persuade local authorities to come forward to help, with the number of permanent homes offered by councils so far only enough to house around half of those evacuated to the UK under the Arap scheme.

A report by the Refugee Council, which works with many of those who have fled Afghanistan, warned last month that many Afghans housed in hotels had no access to essentials such as sanctuary products, toothpaste, nappies or medicines.

In addition to the 7,000 Afghans, there are about 13,000 asylum seekers also currently living in “bridging hotels” due to the lack of available accommodation.

Of these, about 70 are unaccompanied children, 16 of whom are under the age of 16.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “In the rush to evacuate people from Afghanistan it seems there were gaps in capturing important information which reflects how the government had to move at speed during a chaotic time and the Home Office were operating with no additional operational capacity.

“These families, including young children, have had to deal with an incredible amount of trauma and upheaval in their lives. Their mental wellbeing is extremely precarious and it’s critical that they get the support, advice and information.”

A government spokesperson said: “The biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history brought arouund 15,000 people to safety in the UK. A significant cross-government effort is under way to ensure the thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the UK receive the support they need to rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education, and integrate into their local communities.

“It is completely incorrect to suggest we do not know how many people are in hotels. Military personnel are supporting the Home Office to gather information that will help the government best match individuals and families into settled housing and support their integration into the UK.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×