Afghanistan Schemes Data Breaches Independent Public Inquiry Bill

This bill creates an independent public inquiry to investigate data breaches in UK government schemes for Afghan nationals. The schemes helped Afghans who worked with British forces or faced threats after the Taliban took control in 2021. Personal information of applicants was accidentally shared or made public in several incidents. The inquiry will examine what went wrong, who was responsible, and what harm was caused. It will have legal powers to request documents and require witnesses to give evidence under oath. The government says this will provide accountability and prevent similar breaches. The inquiry will publish a public report with its findings and recommendations for improving data security in future emergency evacuation schemes.

• 1Creates an independent public inquiry into data breaches affecting Afghan evacuation schemes
• 2Will investigate how personal information of Afghan applicants was accidentally disclosed
• 3Inquiry will have legal powers to compel evidence and question witnesses under oath
• 4Will examine what went wrong and who was responsible for the security failures
• 5Must publish a public report with findings and recommendations for preventing future breaches