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<p>The Government has no plans to introduce additional pathways for refugees to come
to the UK. The UK is already a leading resettlement state, offering a number of safe
and legal pathways for refugees. In the year ending June 2016, a total of 3,439 people
were resettled in the UK.</p><p>In addition to the 20,000 Syrian refugees and up to
3,000 vulnerable persons from the Middle East and North Africa region that the Government
has committed to resettle by 2020, the UK has also committed to relocate unaccompanied
refugee children from France, Greece and Italy. Under the family reunion policy we
have reunited around 22,000 refugees with their immediate family over the past five
years and will continue to do so. The Government supports the principle that those
who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they
reach. This allows vulnerable persons to receive help quickly rather than risking
their lives on hazardous journeys into and across Europe or falling victim to criminal
gangs who are exploiting the situation. Providing humanitarian aid in the region is
the best way to provide much needed support to the majority of those fleeing persecution
while working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to resettle the
most vulnerable who cannot reasonably remain.</p>
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