FT News Briefing Why the UK kept an Afghan immigration scheme secret
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Jul 16, 2025 The UK government kept a secret immigration plan for Afghans under wraps due to a data leak, raising questions about transparency. Meanwhile, inflation in the U.S. has been affected by recent tariffs, hitting 2.7%. The podcast also dives into the booming market for catastrophe bonds, driven by climate change, as insurers seek ways to manage rising risks. With high returns attracting investors, the conversation sheds light on how climate challenges are reshaping the insurance landscape.
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Secret UK Afghan Relocation
- A British soldier accidentally leaked a database of 25,000 Afghans who helped Britain, putting 100,000 at risk from Taliban reprisals.
- The UK secretly set up a mass relocation scheme for these Afghans, costing billions and only revealed now after a High Court ban was lifted.
Super Injunction Cloaked Scheme
- The UK government imposed a rare super injunction blocking any media mention of the data leak or relocation scheme.
- This extreme secrecy delayed public and parliamentary knowledge of the scheme for two years.
Challenges of Afghan Resettlement
- The scheme ends new applications but around 6,900 Afghans have been or will be relocated so far.
- The government must manage possible populist backlash and ensure funding for health and education impacts on local councils.