Afghan refugees to be schooled on British ‘values, culture and civic duties’

Refugees from Afghanistan will be taught about British values, culture and civic duties under government plans for a new integration scheme.

The plan for Afghans fleeing the Taliban will follow the example of Italy, France and Germany, The Times said, “where newcomers are given hundreds of hours of language lessons, civic training classes and culture passes for museums and galleries”.

New arrivals will be expected to enter a “comprehensive programme”, which will include an “enhanced level of English-language training” and classes on British values and how the political system operates.

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In what is seen as a “two-way street” approach to integration, migrants will also be offered mentors to help them improve their skills and access training and employment, the paper added.

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, said the government is “looking at how can we have an enhanced level of English-language training” and “how we ensure people will get into the workplace as quickly as possible”.

He said ministers also want to “comprehensively introduce people to British culture, civic and political life, increasing people’s knowledge and understanding of the country and its values, so they can contribute fully to British life”.

Britain has also announced that it will release £30m of aid to support nations neighbouring Afghanistan dealing with refugees fleeing the country since the Taliban took control. The government said that the first £10m will be made available to humanitarian groups such as the UN refugee agency to help with shelters and sanitation facilities at the borders.

The remainder is earmarked for nations that experienced a significant number of refugees to “provide essential services and supplies”, said Reuters.

The news comes after the Home Office announced that Afghans who worked for the British military and UK government will be able to move to the UK permanently. According to the BBC, those qualifying for the scheme will be given indefinite leave to remain, rather than the five years’ residency previously offered.

The budget for the government’s “Operation Warm Welcome” scheme includes £12m to help enrol children in schools, £3m to the NHS so families can access healthcare and register with a GP, and £5m to help councils across the UK in providing housing support.