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Iraqis fly into UK for new life Iraqis fly into UK for new life
(about 16 hours later)
Three Iraqis who worked for the British government have arrived in the UK with their families to begin a new life.Three Iraqis who worked for the British government have arrived in the UK with their families to begin a new life.
They came on the first of a series of flights leaving Iraq which could see up to 2,000 Iraqis resettle in the UK under a £25m government programme.They came on the first of a series of flights leaving Iraq which could see up to 2,000 Iraqis resettle in the UK under a £25m government programme.
The men, their wives and a total of twelve children will stay in Slough, Berkshire for two days before being resettled in Scotland. The men, their wives and a total of twelve children will stay in Slough, Berkshire, for two days before being resettled in Scotland.
The British Red Cross said the new arrivals were happy, but tired.The British Red Cross said the new arrivals were happy, but tired.
Under the scheme, interpreters and other staff who worked for the UK government in Iraq were offered a one-off payment or the chance to settle in the UK.Under the scheme, interpreters and other staff who worked for the UK government in Iraq were offered a one-off payment or the chance to settle in the UK.
The government said early indications suggested about 80% of eligible Iraqis were choosing the money rather than indefinite leave to stay in Britain.The government said early indications suggested about 80% of eligible Iraqis were choosing the money rather than indefinite leave to stay in Britain.
They seem to be quite happy about the fact they had left and were somewhere safe British Red Cross spokesmanThey seem to be quite happy about the fact they had left and were somewhere safe British Red Cross spokesman
For those that do come to the UK, help available ranges from food and clothing to emotional support, housing, cash payments and potentially welfare benefits.For those that do come to the UK, help available ranges from food and clothing to emotional support, housing, cash payments and potentially welfare benefits.
The first group to arrive was met off the plane at Brize Norton military base in Oxfordshire in the early hours of Tuesday by government officials, charity staff and volunteers.The first group to arrive was met off the plane at Brize Norton military base in Oxfordshire in the early hours of Tuesday by government officials, charity staff and volunteers.
A British Red Cross spokesman said the Iraqi families were feeling very tired, but optimistic after the seven-hour flight from the southern Iraqi city of Basra.A British Red Cross spokesman said the Iraqi families were feeling very tired, but optimistic after the seven-hour flight from the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
"They seem to be quite happy about the fact they had left and were somewhere safe. Under the circumstances, they were doing ok," he said."They seem to be quite happy about the fact they had left and were somewhere safe. Under the circumstances, they were doing ok," he said.
The families are now understood to be resting at a hotel in Slough.The families are now understood to be resting at a hotel in Slough.
They will spend two days in the Berkshire town, learning about British life and dealing with immigration issues.They will spend two days in the Berkshire town, learning about British life and dealing with immigration issues.
Migrant Helpline, a charity which provides advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, will help the new arrivals find accommodation and settle down.Migrant Helpline, a charity which provides advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, will help the new arrivals find accommodation and settle down.
Red Cross volunteers will also be on hand to provide food and clothing, and any emotional support needed.Red Cross volunteers will also be on hand to provide food and clothing, and any emotional support needed.
On Thursday, the group will move to a city in Scotland - but authorities have not publicly disclosed the location.On Thursday, the group will move to a city in Scotland - but authorities have not publicly disclosed the location.
'Lives in danger''Lives in danger'
A Home Office spokesman said under the programme, the families will be given a place to stay for three months and cash payments to support themselves and their families.A Home Office spokesman said under the programme, the families will be given a place to stay for three months and cash payments to support themselves and their families.
Afterwards, they will be eligible for welfare benefits and helped to get a six-month tenancy, he added.Afterwards, they will be eligible for welfare benefits and helped to get a six-month tenancy, he added.
The direct entry assistance scheme is intended to support those who worked for British forces and the Foreign Office in Iraq, in many cases putting their lives in danger.The direct entry assistance scheme is intended to support those who worked for British forces and the Foreign Office in Iraq, in many cases putting their lives in danger.
Only those that were working on a date last August and had been doing so for more than one year are eligible.Only those that were working on a date last August and had been doing so for more than one year are eligible.
Those that meet the criteria are being given the option of indefinite leave to remain in the UK or a financial package for themselves and their dependents.Those that meet the criteria are being given the option of indefinite leave to remain in the UK or a financial package for themselves and their dependents.
'Traitors''Traitors'
A Home Office spokesman said it was still at the very early stages of assessing eligibility but suggested the number of Iraqis given indefinite leave to stay in the UK over the coming months could be up to 2,000.A Home Office spokesman said it was still at the very early stages of assessing eligibility but suggested the number of Iraqis given indefinite leave to stay in the UK over the coming months could be up to 2,000.
So far, of the 75 who are eligible under the scheme, about 60 opted for financial assistance and 10 wanted to start a new life in the UK.So far, of the 75 who are eligible under the scheme, about 60 opted for financial assistance and 10 wanted to start a new life in the UK.
The government's support for Iraqi workers follows a row last summer after a group of Iraqi interpreters in Basra were told they would not be given special treatment when applying for asylum in the UK.The government's support for Iraqi workers follows a row last summer after a group of Iraqi interpreters in Basra were told they would not be given special treatment when applying for asylum in the UK.
They said their lives were in danger because they were seen as traitors by local militia and accused the British government of failing in its duty of care.They said their lives were in danger because they were seen as traitors by local militia and accused the British government of failing in its duty of care.
Last year, Defence Secretary Des Browne said about 20,000 Iraqis had helped British forces since 2003.Last year, Defence Secretary Des Browne said about 20,000 Iraqis had helped British forces since 2003.