UK Edition
It is impossible to fully understand the desperation of those who are fleeing persecution and oppression in Afghanistan.
In my previous government roles, I have seen communities torn apart and met the families whose homes were destroyed because of conflict, forced to live in refugee camps in places like Jordan, Lebanon and South Sudan.
The fear, anguish and terror that I saw etched on so many faces will live with me forever. So too will the tears and cries for help.
As we watch with a heavy heart the devastating scenes from Afghanistan, it is shattering to think of the thousands of people, particularly women and girls, facing a chilling future.
That is the reason I am so passionate about reforming our approach to migration and asylum. We must have a system which prioritises the most in need so they can make their home here and be supported to integrate and thrive.
Of course, we want to bring in highly educated people, add to our skills base and boost our economy. But the United Kingdom also has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those in need – and fundamentally saving lives. That is what is at stake here. We can and must act.
'We owe it to Afghans to do what we can'
Our new Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme will welcome up to 20,000 people who have been forced to flee Afghanistan, with the first 5,000 arriving in the next year. This is the same world-leading ambition we held when we set up the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
The situation in Afghanistan is fast-changing, and this scheme will be operationally very complex to deliver, but we are clear that we owe it to vulnerable Afghans to do what we can.
This new scheme is on top of the scheme the Defence Secretary and I have developed to bring Afghan nationals into the country who have supported the UK Government in Afghanistan. Interpreters, teachers and community workers are just a few examples of the incredible Afghan people who have worked alongside our Armed Forces.
The fast-tracked relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy has, since late June, enabled 2,000 former Afghan staff and their families to be settled in the UK.
On Saturday and Sunday, 370 British nationals, diplomats and Afghan interpreters flew out of Afghanistan, with a further 150 British nationals arriving back in the UK on Monday.
This was made possible by the early deployment of British government officials and assets to the region to help process, check and facilitate applications for people leaving Afghanistan.
Resettlement at a time of crisis is not without challenges, including on national security and public safety grounds. The British people can be reassured that we will not compromise on this.
Anyone arriving here – through any of the schemes – will have to pass the same strict security checks conducted by our police and intelligence partners.
I know the British public will be equally reassured that we are doing the right thing and extending the hand of friendship to those in most need, particularly women, girls, and children.
'We cannot do this alone'
The UK is also doing all it can to encourage other countries to help. Not only do we want to lead by example, we cannot do this alone.
Our international engagement is significant – the Prime Minister has spoken to international partners including the German chancellor, the French president and the secretaries general of Nato and the UN.
I have also led discussions with our Five Eyes intelligence and security partners to discuss issues such as resettlement and migration.
I’m proud that the UK has protected 25,000 people in the last six years by bringing them directly from places of conflict – more than any other European country.
A further 29,000 people have been able to come to the UK during that period as a result of our Refugee Family Reunion Policy, and we have offered a route out of Hong Kong to hundreds of thousands of people seeking to escape harsh laws imposed by the Chinese government.
These safe and legal routes are the cornerstone of our asylum policy, and we should protect them at all costs. That is why I have introduced reforms via the New Plan for Immigration and the Nationality and Borders Bill currently going through Parliament.
The UK Government will always stand by those who have had the lights switched off on their liberties.
I want to ensure that as a nation we do everything possible to provide support to the most vulnerable fleeing Afghanistan so they can start a new life in safety in the UK, away from the tyranny and oppression they face in Afghanistan.
The UK will always stand by those who have had the lights switched off on their liberties
We must have a system which prioritises the most in need so they can make their home here and be supported to integrate and thrive