Relocation plans for hundreds of Afghans who worked for the British military and UK government, mostly as interpreters, have been announced. This will include 3,000 Afghans who are about to join 1,300 who have already been rehabilitated.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that it is "only right" to accelerate plans in order to also save those who can "be at risk of reprisals" from the Taliban.
The BBC reported, “Under new government policy, any current or former locally employed staff who are assessed to be under serious threat to life will be offered priority relocation to the UK - regardless of their employment status, rank or role or length of time served.”
The government said: "Following the decision to begin the withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan, the prime minister has agreed with the Ministry of Defence, Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to rapidly accelerate applications through the policy."
Priti Patel said: "It's our moral obligation to recognise the risks they faced in the fight against terrorism and reward their efforts. I'm pleased that we are meeting this fully, by providing them and their families the opportunity to build a new life in this country."
