Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sarah Hilley

Afghan families who helped UK military to be offered homes in South Ayrshire

Three South Ayrshire homes will be made available to people from Afghanistan who need to to flee for their own safety.

Refuge will be offered to staff who worked for the UK military, mostly as interpreters, in the country.

Due to demand for homes in the area, the council has decided to take in three households at the most.

They are in potential danger from the Taliban if they can’t escape Afghanistan after troops leave by September.

Councillors voted to participate in the Afghan Relocation Scheme at a full council meeting on Thursday. Councils across the UK are taking part.

Labour councillor Philip Saxton, responsible for housing, said: “We have a duty of care to these people. If they stay in Afghanistan they could be shot. This is about saving lives.”

Councillor Saxton said of 20 Afghan families who were housed in South Ayrshire during 2013, seven still remain in the area.

He said: “Our officers already have experience in supporting people relocating from Afghanistan and know what their needs are.”

Troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan in September so there are fears those who helped the UK forces could face reprisals.

A council report said: “It is recommended that council agrees to participate in the Afghan Relocation Scheme, by making initially up to three properties available within South Ayrshire to support the accelerated relocation of locally employed staff who have been supporting the UK in Afghanistan.”

The Home Office provides funding to councils who welcome Afghan arrivals to support the costs of resettlement.

It is understood they will be leaving in the coming months.

Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.