2nd Special Report: Shifting heaven and earth? The Afghan data breach and resettlement schemes: Government Response

This is the government's response, published 16 October 2026.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Ministry of Defence says the data incident was "unacceptable", accepts a number of the Committee's conclusions and some recommendations in whole or in part, and declines others, citing risk to life and national security.

• On the injunction, the government agrees the super-injunction was exceptional and accepts Recommendation 8 "in principle", but says any decision to widen briefing would be "for the government of the day".
• It "accepts part of" the recommendation to publish principles on injunctions, saying any course of action "remains a decision for Ministers" and is to be considered case by case.
• It will provide the Committee with "six-monthly updates" on the Afghan Resettlement Programme and expects to complete all ARP casework by Spring 2027, though the August 2026 milestone for initial decisions was missed.
• It declines to publish quality assurance KPIs, saying they "could have unintended consequences", and says exceptional circumstances will be considered for those unable to self-move within 12 months.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error