Dozens of Afghan interpreters for the British Army previously denied the right to relocate to the UK will be able to come, the government announced last night.

About 50 who served on the front line in Helmand will be granted visas to Britain under new qualifying measures and will be able to bring their wives and children.

More than 1,000 Afghans have made Britain their home under the government’s existing arrangements after the gradual withdrawal of British combat troops and Taliban threats to their life.

Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, said that a further 200, which includes their families, would benefit from the changes, with the relocation eligibility criteria extended by six years.

Previously, interpreters had to be serving on an arbitrary date in December