Issue details

On 29 December 2020, the Defence Secretary and Home Secretary announced the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). This scheme offers relocation or other assistance to former Locally Employed Staff (LES) in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in Afghanistan. Given the rapid implementation of the programmes and the large numbers of people involved, the Home Office has commissioned hotels around the country known as ‘bridging hotels’ where Afghan evacuees and refugees are housed until long term accommodation is sourced.

Hotel residents are supported to settle in and make longer term plans for life in the UK through the provision of ‘wraparound support’ in the hotels. The support is funded by the Home Office by payment to the local authority which hosts the hotel. In Yorkshire and Humber, Leeds City Council (Migration Yorkshire) co-ordinates this arrangement as the accountable body by processing payments and managing sub-contract arrangements.

North Yorkshire Council (previously North Yorkshire County Council prior to local government re-organisation which took place on 1 April 2023) has been the location of two bridging hotels, one of which closed on 31 July 2022. It has agreed to vary the existing Partnership Agreement with Leeds City Council (Migration Yorkshire) to include the provision of a ‘wraparound support’ for Afghan evacuees and refugees in the bridging hotels in North Yorkshire to 31 July 2023.

City of Doncaster Council is the location of one bridging hotel. It has agreed to vary the existing Partnership Agreement with Leeds City Council (Migration Yorkshire) to include the provision of a ‘wraparound support’ and therapeutic support for Afghan evacuees and refugees in the bridging hotel in Doncaster to 31 July 2023.

A variation to the existing Grant Agreement with British Refugee Council (‘Refugee Council’) is required to deliver this service and provide for a revised and updated budget and service provision.