Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on the Conservative government during Prime Minister's Questions today, accusing them of failing Afghan allies who supported British forces.
New figures reveal that just 24% of eligible Afghans have been resettled in the UK under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), leaving thousands at risk of Taliban reprisals.
"Shameful" Numbers Revealed
Starmer presented damning statistics showing that of the 35,000 Afghans eligible for relocation, only 8,500 have actually been brought to safety in Britain. "This government made promises it hasn't kept," Starmer declared, his voice rising in the Commons.
Government Defends Record
In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted the UK had "one of the most generous schemes in the world," while Defence Secretary Grant Shapps pointed to the evacuation of 15,000 people during Operation Pitting in 2021.
However, veterans' groups have joined Labour in criticising the slow pace of resettlement, with many former interpreters and support staff still waiting in precarious conditions.
Human Cost of Delay
Starmer highlighted several tragic cases where Afghans who worked with British forces were killed by the Taliban while awaiting relocation. "Each of these numbers represents a life lost, a family destroyed," he told a hushed chamber.
The heated exchange comes as new Home Office data shows the government is falling far short of its own targets, with processing times stretching to over 18 months in some cases.
