More than 500 Afghans resettled in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Council says 507 people from 100 households have been resettled under Afghan resettlement schemes as of September 15.

Of those, 64 people from 12 households have subsequently moved out of the county.

A further 180 people from 46 households have been resettled in North Yorkshire since February 2021 through the separate UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS).

The council originally pledged to accommodate 200 people through that programme.

However, completion of the pledge has been delayed due partly to the larger-than-anticipated number of Afghan arrivals.

The UK’s Afghan resettlement schemes were established to relocate vulnerable Afghan nationals and former UK government employees following the 2021 Taliban takeover.

North Yorkshire Council says its immediate priority is finding new homes for Afghan families currently living in Ministry of Defence accommodation as their leases come to an end.

Twenty-three households remain in MoD service family accommodation without an offer of replacement private rented, council or social housing, although the report says most still have some time remaining on their three-year leases.

North Yorkshire is also expected to accommodate 73 people a year under the Afghan Resettlement Programme as part of a national “fair share” approach based on population.

The council has been awarded funding to purchase nine properties for Afghan households between 2026/27 and 2029/30.

The report, which goes before the council’s Corporate and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday (September 28), also gives an update on how refugees are integrating into communities.

Families receive three years of integration support from the Refugee Council, initially involving intensive casework before moving towards greater independence.

English lessons are provided alongside courses covering subjects including driving theory, workplace communication, IT and life in the UK.

The council says progress in helping refugees into employment remains “steady”.

Jobs secured range from professional roles to semi-skilled and lower-skilled employment, while some refugees have established their own businesses.

Three former doctors from Afghanistan are studying to become doctors in the UK, while eight refugees have secured jobs with North Yorkshire Council through its normal competitive recruitment process.

Barriers to employment include English language skills, difficulties matching existing qualifications to available jobs, access to transport and health issues.

The report says there are no additional financial implications for the council arising directly from the programme, with the UKRS and Afghan resettlement schemes funded by the Home Office.