| answer text |
<p>The Syrian resettlement scheme has already provided safe haven to more than 1,000
vulnerable Syrians since the scheme was expanded in September 2015. More than half
of these were children and we expect children to make up a significant proportion
of the 20,000 resettlement places we are providing under the scheme.</p><p>In addition,
we have committed to resettling up to 3,000 individuals from the Middle East and North
Africa over the lifetime of this Parliament through the resettlement scheme announced
on 21 April for children at risk and their family members. As announced by the Prime
Minister on 4 May and now reflected in the Immigration Act 2016, we will also work
to admit unaccompanied refugee children to the UK from elsewhere in the EU, where
this is considered to be in the child’s best interests. Work has begun on how best
to implement the legislation and we are committed to act as quickly as we can, while
ensuring that we have the necessary services in place to care for these children alongside
those who are already in the UK and have claimed asylum here.</p><p>We also continue
to work closely with France and other EU Member States to ensure that arrangements
for transferring asylum cases under the Dublin Regulation are operating as effectively
as possible. A senior UK official was seconded to the French Dublin Unit to assist
with the identification and transfer of cases and since February more than 20 children
have been transferred to the UK from France and there are many other cases in train.</p><p>All
Syrian and other children brought to the UK will be given the care, support and education
they require.</p>
|
|
