UK Reveals Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme After Data Breach

A secret UK government scheme to relocate Afghans was established following a significant data breach that exposed the personal details of nearly 19,000 people who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban takeover. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) discovered the breach in August 2023, which had occurred in February 2022 when a defence official mistakenly released a spreadsheet containing names, contact information, and family details of applicants.

The government responded by creating the Afghan Relocation Route, a confidential resettlement program that has so far enabled 4,500 Afghans to arrive in the UK, with an additional 600 people and their families expected to follow. The existence of both the breach and the scheme was kept secret under a superinjunction until a High Court judge lifted the order on Tuesday.

Defence Secretary John Healey addressed Parliament, offering a "sincere apology" to those affected and describing the incident as a "serious departmental error" resulting from information being sent outside authorised government systems. Healey stated that an independent review found it "highly unlikely" anyone was targeted solely because of the breach, and described the relocation scheme as an "extremely significant intervention" given the risks involved. The scheme, which has cost £400 million to date and is expected to require up to £450 million more, is now being closed, though existing relocation offers will be honoured. Those affected by the data leak were informed on Tuesday.