Delay In Arrival Of Afghan Families To Harborough District

The arrival of three families from Afghanistan to the Harborough District has been delayed.

They were due at the end of November, but are now not expected until January.

Suitable homes for them have been found by Harborough District Council, but the Home Office is yet to allocate the families, currently in temporary accommodation.

The council agreed to support the government-funded resettlement scheme earlier this year, when hundreds of Afghans who worked with British forces were evacuated, fearing persecution from the Taliban.

A government spokesperson told Hfm families are matched against the housing offers from local authorities, which are considered on a range of factors, including family size, family connections and vulnerabilities such as medical needs.

They added: “There is a huge cross-government effort underway to secure permanent homes for Afghan families so they can settle and rebuild their lives.

“We are thankful to Harborough District Council and all those who have stepped forward to offer support and homes to resettle Afghan evacuees, and we continue to urge others to pledge their support.

“Councils have been given integration funding to support those starting a new life in the UK, with £20,520 per person provided over three years to meet the costs. Local authorities will also receive additional funding for children entering education, to cover English language provision, and to cover healthcare.”