Afghan interpreters' resettlement scheme 'does not go far enough' An Afghan interpreter with former British servicemen delivering a petition calling for asylum. It is estimated that about 600 interpreters working for UK forces will benefit from the scheme. Lawyers representing Afghan interpreters have welcomed the news that about half of them are to be given settlement rights in the UK in recognition of them risking their lives for British troops, but expressed concerns that the reworked package does not go far enough. Under the proposals, any interpreters who have put themselves in physical danger working outside British military bases will be offered a resettlement package if they have been working for the UK forces for more than 12 months at the point of their redundancy. It is estimated that about half the interpreters working for the UK forces - roughly 600 - will qualify. Rosa Curling, a human rights solicitor for Leigh Day representing the three interpreters who began a legal case against the government, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday: "Whilst we await the full details of the scheme, we are delighted that the bravery of the Afghan interpreters now seems to have been recognised. These men employed by the British authorities in Afghanistan have often been on the frontline with our troops, risking their lives, and now face death threats as a result of their work. The announcement today is a huge step in the right direction, which will come as a great relief to our clients and their families. But she voiced concerns about some of the roughly 600 interpreters who will not qualify for resettlement, either because they do not have 12 months' continuous service or have not been deemed to face sufficient physical danger in their daily work. "We are concerned that some interpreters may not qualify if the scheme is limited to frontline staff only," said Curling. For example those Kabul-based spokesmen who have received threats due to the high-profile nature of their work and those working for the secret services. Both groups remain at risk from threats from the Taliban and to refuse them access to the same resettlement options would be unacceptable. The package represents a climbdown from earlier suggestions that most interpreters, who would be seen as collaborators, would have to risk reprisals from the Taliban after coalition forces leave a still unstable country at the end of 2014. The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said it was "a welcome about-turn by the prime minister." She added: "It was not right for the government to leave interpreters and their families to face threats from the Taliban when we leave." The change of heart was also welcomed by Dave Garratt, chief executive of Refugee Action. "This move now puts the UK in step with other Nato countries who have granted their interpreters the right to asylum," he said. Garratt called for a "fully funded support programme to aid the relocation, resettlement and successful integration of Afghan interpreters and their immediate family members in the UK." Qualifying interpreters will be offered a five-year visa for themselves and their families, with additional practical help for relocation, accommodation and job-seeking in the UK. If a qualifying interpreter does not want to take up the option of living in the UK, they will be given an alternative five-year training and education package with the Afghan security forces on existing security force salaries.