Council confirms its support for Afghan refugee scheme

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed to the UK Government that it is available to participate in its planned expansion of the Afghan relocation and assistance programme.

Designed to provide safe, secure accommodation for interpreters and other personnel who have worked with the UK in Afghanistan, the programme recognises the service of those who have supported the British Forces, and reflects both their work and the risks they now face following recent events within the country.

We had already agreed in principle to support the scheme, but events have escalated in recent days and the situation is rapidly changing. As a result, Bridgend County Borough Council has informed UK Government that we are willing and able to participate in the expanded resettlement programme, and that we will help to provide safe homes for families fleeing Afghanistan if required.

We have all been shocked and saddened by the footage that has been coming out of Afghanistan in recent days, and this move is about helping citizens who have risked their lives to support our own service personnel.

Bridgend County Borough Council already has an Armed Forces covenant in place which outlines our commitment, so by extension, we also want to help those who have supported members of our armed forces, and whose own well-being and that of their families may now be at risk as a result. In the meantime, we look forward to the release of more details on how the wider relocation scheme will work, which councils will take part, the level of support that local authorities will receive from central government, and what the longer-term arrangements are likely to be.

Council Leader Huw David