On Thursday 6 January, Stephen spoke in the House of Commons about family reunion in the UK for those fleeing persecution and danger in Afghanistan.
Following the withdrawal of NATO troops in Afghanistan last summer, the Taliban have returned to power and the UK concluded its evacuation flights from Kabul shortly after. On 18 August, the UK Government announced that the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme would be established to allow those "who have been forced to flee their home or face threats of persecution from the Taliban" to "set up home in the UK permanently." Through the scheme, the Government aims to help 5,000 Afghan nationals resettle in the UK in the first year, and 20,000 Afghan nationals in the long-term.
In a statement to the House of Commons, the Minister for Afghan Resettlement - Victoria Atkins - announced the opening of the scheme. Stephen asked her to ensure Afghans coming to the UK are placed near their families.
Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said “will every effort be made to place people arriving from Afghanistan who do have close family here wanting to help them, in temporary accommodation close to their relatives?”
You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Minister’s response, below.