A major data breach has exposed thousands of Afghans who were secretly relocated to the UK, revealing a catastrophic failure in handling sensitive information. The leak, which occurred in February 2022, revealed the personal details of nearly 19,000 people who had applied to flee the Taliban through British forces.
The leaked document contained names, contact details, and family information of those on the list, sparking concerns that it could have been used by the Taliban for retribution. Despite this, a government-backed scheme was set up in April 2024 to relocate around 20,000 people whose details were included on the list.
As of May 2025, over 16,000 individuals deemed at risk due to the leak had been relocated to the UK, either through the secret emergency scheme or other routes. The government has spent £400m so far on the scheme and anticipates spending a further £450m.
A court document from May 2024 indicated that around 80,000 people were at increased risk but would not be offered relocation. A review by retired civil servant Paul Rimmer found that the leaked document “may not have spread nearly as widely as initially feared”, casting doubt on previous assessments of its value to the Taliban.
The government has been criticized for its handling of the leak, with many questioning why MPs were not informed and how sensitive information was allowed to be shared. A super-injunction was put in place to prevent further details from being made public, but it was eventually lifted this week.
The total cost of all efforts to relocate Afghans since 2021 is estimated to be around £5.5-£6bn. The government has faced scrutiny over its handling of the leak and the role of those involved in the decision-making process.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79qyl907lxo