Afghanistan: PM pledges not to abandon UK allies left behind

Boris Johnson has promised not to abandon UK allies left behind in Afghanistan after the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country.

The prime minister said the UK would do "everything possible" to help Afghans who worked for British forces get out safely.

He told MPs 311 such Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK had not been evacuated in time.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer blamed this on the PM's "lack of leadership".

Sir Keir added it was a "national disgrace" the government does not know precisely how many British nationals are left in Afghanistan.

Updating MPs as they return from their summer recess, Mr Johnson said the government's obligation towards Afghans who helped the UK would "live on" after the withdrawal of British troops last week.

He said the UK would exert "economic and diplomatic pressure" on the Taliban to provide them with safe routes out of the country.

He also confirmed that Afghans admitted to the UK under a separate refugee scheme will be allowed to stay indefinitely.

Mr Johnson added that the government would shortly be writing to local authorities with details of funding for accommodation and school places.

Sir Keir said that local councils hoping to host Afghan refugees were still "in the dark" over the financial support they would receive.

It said just under £400m has been allocated so far to help resettle those who had fled the country, but an extra £557m could be needed over the next three years.

Around 15,000 people eligible to come to the UK were evacuated in the final two weeks before Kabul fell to the Taliban, including 8,000 Afghans who had worked alongside British forces.

The government has pledged to bring 20,000 refugees to the UK in the next five years, including 5,000 in the coming year.