Some 5,000 refugees will be offered a safe place to live in the UK this year, with 15,000 more expected 'over the next few years', Boris Johnson has confirmed.
The UK Government came under pressure to react to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan since the countries capital, Kabul, fell to the Taliban on Sunday.
Boris Johnson has promised up to 5,000 Afghans can find refuge in the UK this year, with up to 20,000 in the longer term.
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The Prime Minister, who will address MPs on Wednesday, said: "We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have worked with us to make Afghanistan a better place over the last 20 years.
"Many of them, particularly women, are now in urgent need of our help. I am proud that the UK has been able to put in place this route to help them and their families live safely in the UK."
Opposition parties have said the plans do not go far enough and are too vague to make a difference.
Liverpool Council has already said that it stands ready to help and is looking at appropriate accommodation in the city for those fleeing the country.
Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the wider Liverpool City Region said he wanted to make it clear that refugees are welcome here.
He told the ECHO: "We’ve all been shaken by some of the harrowing scenes of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan over the past few days. The UK must accept its responsibility in this. We have a moral duty to step up and help those fleeing for their lives.
“Our city region has long been a sanctuary for people escaping war, famine and persecution and we will do all we can to assist refugees from this terrible conflict. Ultimately, the decision rests at a national level with Boris Johnson and Priti Patel who must provide support, but my message is clear: refugees are welcome in our city region.”
Mayor Rotheram said he's also been in touch with local councils and other partners to ensure there is a co-ordinated approach to this action.
Earlier today, Liverpool City Mayor Joanne Anderson said: "The images we are seeing from Afghanistan are truly heart-breaking. Women and men are living in fear of their lives.
“Along with the rest of the world, the UK must play its part in helping – and Liverpool stands ready to assist.”
Leader of Wirral Council Jan Williamson said: "The people of Wirral, as well as those across the UK, will welcome those who need our assistance."
In its first press conference since seizing control, the Taliban said on Tuesday that it would guarantee safety for those who had previously opposed the group, and uphold women's rights, albeit within the constraints of Sharia law.
But experts have expressed scepticism and warned that the country could again become a hotbed for terrorism.
The new Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme will target women, children, and others who have been forced to flee their home or face threats of persecution from the Taliban.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour's shadow home secretary, welcomed that a scheme was in place but said there needed to be a "more urgent plan of action".
He said: "This proposal does not meet the scale of the challenge. Not only does that risk leaving people in Afghanistan in deadly danger, it will also undermine the leadership role Britain must play in persuading international partners to live up to their responsibilities."
The Government said the new scheme was in addition to the 5,000 Afghans already expected to move to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which is designed to offer local allies such as interpreters priority relocation to the UK.
Government figures showed 2,000 have already arrived under the ARAP programme.
On Tuesday evening, Home Secretary Priti Patel chaired a meeting of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance - comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States - to identify safe and legal routes for those who need to leave Afghanistan.
Priority will be given to women and girls, and religious and other minorities.
Ms Patel said: "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 now face."
Ministers said they would keep the scheme under review in coming years, and would work with devolved nations and local councils to deliver support for those fleeing to the UK.
Mr Johnson will address Parliament on the UK's work on the crisis in Afghanistan so far when Parliament is recalled on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister is expected to outline how the international community can act to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the country, which he will say will require an immediate increase in humanitarian aid.
