Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster spoke out in the House of Commons to champion employment opportunities for Afghan refugees.
In the Chamber, Nickie highlighted the role that the City of London Corporation is taking to support over 500 Afghan refugees with covid and flu vaccines, as well as lessons to learn the English language.
Speaking with the Minister for Afghan Resettlement, Victoria Atkins MP, Nickie highlighted Addison Lee, a transport business in the Two Cities, who are keen to support the Government in skills and jobs for Afghan refugees.
Championing opportunities in the Chamber, Nickie said,
"I thank my hon. Friend for her statement and for the opening of the ACRS today. Local authorities in my constituency are playing their part. The Corporation of London is supporting 500 Afghan nationals with covid and flu vaccines. It is also, in the Guildhall, teaching them the English language, and now we need to be looking at the employment side.
"Addison Lee, the transport business in my constituency, has asked me to make it known that it is desperately keen to support the Government in skills and jobs for Afghan refugees. Will the Minister therefore explain what the employment strategy is for Afghan refugees?"
Minister for Afghan Resettlement, Victoria Atkins MP, replied,
"I thank my hon. Friend, and Westminster City Council and the City of London, who have done an amazing job in looking after so many people so well. I will refer her very good suggestion to the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies), who is responsible for employment. The DWP is working up plans and we are very keen to get people who are able to into jobs as quickly as possible."
