THE government’s failure to open safe routes for Afghans is forcing thousands of people fleeing the Taliban to make dangerous journeys to Britain, research suggests. 

Analysis by the Refugee Council of official figures, released today, shows the number of asylum applicants from Afghanistan rose from 435 between April and June, to 1,093 between July and September. 

The charity claims that thousands of Afghan refugees have been left with the “gut-wrenching” decision to embark on dangerous journeys to Britain following the fall of Kabul in August because of delays to the promised Afghan citizens resettlement scheme. 

The British government pledged to take in 5,000 refugees from the country this year, and a further 15,000 as part of the resettlement scheme announced in August.

Yet four months on from that promise the scheme is yet to open, the Refugee Council said. 

“Last month 27 refugees tragically lost their lives while trying to cross the Channel in a small boat to reach the safety of UK shores,” the group said.

“It was reported that people fleeing Afghanistan were sadly involved in this tragedy.”

The group is also calling for the expansion of family reunion rules and for asylum cases from Afghanistan to be prioritised. 

Refugee Council CEO Enver Solomon said: “Back in August the government worked hard to respond to this unprecedented situation, but that initial support has waned and we have seen more limited action to help the people we owe a huge debt to. 

“It is critical the government brings forward the scheme they promised and helps provide the safe routes and support these people both desperately need and deserve.”

The charity is also calling on the government to rethink the Nationality and Borders Bill currently going through Parliament, warning that it would criminalise any Afghans arriving to Britain via irregular routes.  

Labour has also called for urgent action to kick start the relocation programmes, warning that the lack of safe routes coupled with the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is likely to force more people to take dangerous routes.

“No-one wants to see those who the UK promised to help end up in dangerous dinghies in the Channel, being exploited by criminal gangs,” shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said. “The government needs to act swiftly to make sure that doesn’t happen.”