By Raza Ruman
The United Kingdom has reopened its refugee resettlement scheme and announced new “safe and legal” routes for vulnerable refugees, with Afghan women and girls fleeing Taliban persecution and Palestinians who have fled the war in Gaza expected to make up about a quarter of those referred under the resettlement programme.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made the announcement at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, saying the move was intended to provide refugees with a controlled and lawful alternative to dangerous irregular journeys while allowing Britain to meet its international obligations.
The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) has reopened for new referrals in partnership with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). The British government said referrals would reopen immediately, with the first arrivals expected before the end of 2026.
“We will take vulnerable refugees from across the world and give them the chance of a new and better life here in Britain with the first arrivals this year,” Ms Mahmood told the conference.
“I am proud to say that around a quarter will be Afghan women and girls fleeing persecution under the Taliban. And Palestinians who have fled the horrors of Gaza,” she said.
