Hundreds of Afghans who applied for sanctuary in UK waiting over two years for decision

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. RECOMMENDED Mr Healey told The Independent: “It is simply unacceptable that 745 Afghans have been waiting more than two years for a decision on their eligibility under the Arap scheme, leaving them in limbo and likely fearing for their own safety.” “This is a shameful saga of government failure on multiple fronts,” he added. open image in gallery Military chiefs and charities have urged Rishi Sunak to relocate eligible Afghans to the UK faster Sarah Fenby-Dixon, Afghan consultant for the Refugee Aid Network, is supporting a number of Afghans who have applied for the Ministry of Defence’s scheme but are still waiting to hear. When we question why people do not use legal routes to come to the UK, this is the answer.” RECOMMENDED Becky Hart, Lawyer at Afghan Pro Bono Initiative, which is run by the charity Safe Passage, said it was “outrageous that some of our clients have been left waiting for more than two years for a decision”. She added: “This government must urgently commit more resources to the Afghan schemes and quickly arrange onward journeys so people can actually reach protection here and start to rebuild their lives.” A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We owe a debt of gratitude to those interpreters and other staff eligible under the ARAP scheme who worked for, or with, UK forces in Afghanistan.