In Parliament this week I raised concerns on behalf of Afghan interpreters who served with UK armed forces in the fight against the Taliban.

Many of the Afghan interpreters who settled in Britain under the Government’s redundancy scheme are now facing huge difficulties being reunited with their families here in the UK because of the normal spousal visa rules affecting their wives and children.

Speaking in Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions, I asked “In view of the ongoing security situation in Afghanistan, will Ministers do more with Defence and Home Office Ministers to ensure that Afghan interpreters who came here alone under the redundancy scheme can be reunited here with their wives and families, as they clearly face great danger in Afghanistan?”

In response, Foreign Office Minister Mark Field said he would write to counterparts in the Home Office and Ministry of Defence to ensure the Government did its ‘level best’ by Afghan interpreters.

I’ve now raised this issue with Defence, Home Office and Foreign Office Ministers, and hope for a substantive update soon on behalf of constituents affected. The Government needs to take action that properly recognises the service and sacrifice of the interpreters who served alongside our armed forces in Afghanistan.