Afghan resettlement is a cross-Government effort, with costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other Government departments including the Home Office, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

On 18 March 2026, the NAO published a report which detailed the costs of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) in response to the Department’s provision of information on MOD spending to the NAO. Part Three of this report sets out funding for the schemes, the costs incurred to date, and expected future costs. This report can be accessed via the link below:

https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/investigation-into-the-afghan-resettlement-schemes.pdf

The report lays out that, since 2021, His Majesty’s Government (HMG) has spent £3.1 billion on the ARP. HMG estimates a total cost of £5.5-6 billion on Afghan resettlement activity throughout the life of the programme. This figure is kept under review using the latest data available.

The MOD and its cross-Government partners will continue to update Parliament including the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee in line with usual processes throughout the course of the ARP.

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of figures by employment dates or job roles, including those who worked in NATO and International Security Assistance Force command structures. This is because this information is not presented in a format that is readily available, nor included in published statistics.

Each ARAP scheme application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Applicants cannot directly apply under a particular category. Further information on this can be found in the attached and at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance#eligibility-under-the-arap

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of figures by employment dates or job roles, including those who worked in NATO and International Security Assistance Force command structures. This is because this information is not presented in a format that is readily available, nor included in published statistics.

Each ARAP scheme application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Applicants cannot directly apply under a particular category. Further information on this can be found in the attached and at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance#eligibility-under-the-arap

All applicants that receive an ineligible outcome may seek a review of their decision within 90 days of receiving this decision, in accordance with the ARAP Review Policy. Further information on this can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance

All decisions made in the Triples Review carry a right to have this decision reviewed, however the Triples Review has not been extended to every ARAP applicant.

The ARAP eligibility criteria have not changed. As a result, no previously ineligible principal applicants have had cases reviewed against revised criteria.

Each ARAP scheme application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Further information on this can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance#eligibility-under-the-arap

The Cabinet Office's Comprehensive Landscape Review of Arm's-Length Bodies across government is ongoing. Decisions will be announced in due course.

According to the latest published data, 19,201 Afghan nationals have been admitted to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and other schemes, but this total is not broken down by individuals' previous employment status.

According to the latest published data, 19,201 Afghan nationals have been admitted to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and other schemes, but this total is not broken down by individuals' previous employment status.

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of figures by employment dates or job roles, including those who served with British Forces. This is because, this information is not presented in a format that is readily available, nor included in published statistics.

Each application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria using a case-by-case approach which takes into account the evidence available. The ARAP eligibility criteria are outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Further information on this can be found in the attached document.

The Defence Secretary raised Iran backed Houthi rebels attacking international shipping in the Middle East with his Indian counterpart in January. India is contributing to international naval efforts to help secure shipping in the region. We also raised this with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging them to use their relationship with Iran to convey that Iran should pressure the Houthis in line with China's call for the cessation of attacks and harassment against civilian ships.

The Government has long condemned Iran's political, financial, and military support to several militant and proscribed groups, including the Houthis and Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria. The current and former Foreign Secretaries have directly raised Iran's support for these groups with the Iranian Foreign Minister three times since 7 October 2023. They made clear in all their conversations that Iran must use its influence with groups in the region to prevent escalation and that the regime bore responsibility for the actions of groups they had supported over many years.

The UK has two Afghan resettlement schemes. The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed or meaningful roles and is managed by the Ministry of Defence. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) prioritises those who assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values, such as the rule of law, and vulnerable people. The Home Office are the responsible department for ACRS.

FCDO does not hold comprehensive data on who has been resettled under either scheme. We hold data on the first stage of Pathway 3 of ACRS where FCDO acted as the referral partner for Home Office for 3 cohorts - British Council contractors, Gardaworld contractors (Embassy guards) and Chevening alumni. We also hold data on some ARAP eligible persons that FCDO has sponsored because they worked for, alongside or under contract to DFID/FCO in roles contributing to UK national security objectives. We do not hold data on the number of former NATO and UN staff who have been resettled in the UK.

The Government has long condemned Iran's political, financial, and military support to several militant and proscribed groups, including the Houthis and Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria. The current and former Foreign Secretaries have directly raised Iran's support for these groups with the Iranian Foreign Minister three times since 7 October 2023. They made clear in all their conversations that Iran must use its influence with groups in the region to prevent escalation and that the regime bore responsibility for the actions of groups they had supported over many years.

In 2021, around 8,000 Afghans were relocated to the UK under Afghan resettlement schemes administered by the Ministry of Defence to the UK. Since July 2022, around 5,300 were relocated. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of individuals relocated to the UK under ARAP by job role.

Figures covering Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) applicants will need to be provided by the Home Office.

The specifics of this case are a matter for Shoaib Bashir and the Indian Government. We absolutely expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa process. The UK Government cannot interfere in the immigration system of another country, but our relationship with India means that where we have concerns we raise them. We note Mr. Bashir's arrival in India ahead of the second test match.