The UK government will work with other nations and pledged to resettle 5,000 Afghans in the UK in the first year.

However, some MPs have criticised the scheme for not going far enough.

Thousands of Afghans have been trying to flee the country after the militants seized control of the capital Kabul, BBC reported.

The government has committed to resettling up to 20,000 Afghan refugees in the UK in the long term – and Ms Patel said she wanted the majority of those to be women and girls and persecuted minorities.

The new plan is on top of the existing scheme for interpreters and other staff who have worked for the UK.

Some 5,000 Afghans and family members are expected to come to the UK under that policy.

Women and girls and persecuted minorities will make up the bulk of the Afghan refugees resettled in the UK, the home secretary has said.