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784952

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department manages the Dubs scheme for child refugees; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	111663
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We remain committed to transferring unaccompanied children from Europe under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 up to the specified number of 480. We are working closely with Member States, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO partners to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. If it is determined that transfer to the UK is in the child’s best interests, a referral will be made under the National Transfer Scheme for a placement with a local authority in the UK. Transfers are ongoing.</p><p>However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French government. As I set out in the Backbench Business debate of 2 November, the French authorities have in recent weeks established additional welcome centres to those already in place across the country. Four new centres have recently opened, away from the juxtaposed ports, where those wishing to claim asylum will be supported through the asylum process. There is regular transportation provided to these centres. It is vital that children claim asylum in France; that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p>According to Eurostat data, 63,300 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the EU in 2016:</p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290" target="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 111669 question first answered 13/11/2017 17:54:02 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

784966

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to use data on identities and current whereabouts gathered from children in the Jungle refugee camp in Calais before its demolition; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	111669
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2017 answer text <p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We remain committed to transferring unaccompanied children from Europe under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 up to the specified number of 480. We are working closely with Member States, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO partners to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. If it is determined that transfer to the UK is in the child’s best interests, a referral will be made under the National Transfer Scheme for a placement with a local authority in the UK. Transfers are ongoing.</p><p>However, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French government. As I set out in the Backbench Business debate of 2 November, the French authorities have in recent weeks established additional welcome centres to those already in place across the country. Four new centres have recently opened, away from the juxtaposed ports, where those wishing to claim asylum will be supported through the asylum process. There is regular transportation provided to these centres. It is vital that children claim asylum in France; that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p>According to Eurostat data, 63,300 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the EU in 2016:</p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290" target="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 111663 question first answered 13/11/2017 17:54:02 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778828

registered interest
date	27/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing more localised administration of the Dubs Scheme based in the regions and constituent parts of the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	110042
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2017 answer text <p>The Home Office works closely with local authorities across Great Britain through regional Strategic Migration Partnerships to ensure all unaccompanied children arriving here receive the care and support they need. We encourage local authorities to offer suitable placements, regardless of the child’s route of arrival.</p><p>The National Transfer Scheme for unaccompanied children is already based on a regional model and was established to promote a fairer distribution of caring responsibilities across the country in a way that protects the best interests of all children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 01/11/2017 11:24:42 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778245

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to improve arrangements for the (a) registration and (b) transfer of refugee children to the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109802 109862 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778246

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to broaden the criteria for vulnerability under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109862
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109802 109861 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

778249

registered interest
date	26/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of multi-agency intelligence-sharing to identify the needs of unaccompanied child refugees in Europe.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	109802
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU, the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>. We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests. In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including children.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 109861 109862 question first answered 31/10/2017 17:16:44 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

773255

registered interest
date	18/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to ensure provision of legal assistance for unaccompanied migrant children in the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	108381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2017 answer text <p>Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are placed into the care of local authorities and are provided with specialised legal advice and support.</p><p>The Home Office works closely with the Legal Aid Agency, which administers the legal aid provision, to ensure that there is sufficient legal assistance coverage throughout the UK. In addition, assistance in accessing legal advice is available from the child’s social worker, the Refugee Council Children’s Panel of Advisors for children in England and the Scottish Guardianship Service for children in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 23/10/2017 11:46:31 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

773257

registered interest
date	18/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to review the eligibility criteria for the Dubs scheme; and whether children who have arrived in Europe after the EU-Turkey deal on 20 March 2016 will be eligible for transfer under that scheme.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	108379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government is fully committed to transferring 480 unaccompanied children from Europe under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 and transfers are ongoing. To be eligible, children must have been present in Europe before 20 March 2016, and it be determined, following individual assessment, that it would be in their best interest to be transferred to the UK.</p><p>Member States have been asked to prioritise those likely to qualify for refugee status and the most vulnerable. The requirement to be present in Europe before 20 March 2016 has been in place since the passage of section 67 in May 2016, and supports the principle that the scheme should not act as a pull factor for further children to make dangerous journeys to Europe.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 23/10/2017 12:01:26 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

772249

registered interest
date	17/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied migrant children in the UK have been moved to at least two different local authorities since their arrival.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	108253
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>The Home Office does not currently publish data on unaccompanied migrant children’s movements between local authorities in its quarterly statistics release.</p><p>The published data on unaccompanied asylum seeking children can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2017/how-many-people-do-we-grant-asylum-or-protection-to#unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2017/how-many-people-do-we-grant-asylum-or-protection-to#unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children</a>.</p><p>There are over 4,000 unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) in local authority care in the UK. The National Transfer Scheme was launched on 1 July 2016 and has been working to ensure a fairer allocation of UASC across the UK. A significant number of local authorities have participated in the scheme and enabled the transfer of children away from local authorities with a disproportionate number of UASC in their care.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 20/10/2017 13:58:04 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

772251

registered interest
date	17/10/2017
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of closing the refugee camp in Calais on the availability of data on unaccompanied child refugees; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	108251
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>The primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France lies with the French government. Following the closure of the Calais Camp, French authorities transferred all children formerly resident to specialist centres across France. It is vital that children claim asylum in France; that is the fastest route to safety.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have a strong track record of cooperating with France to manage the situation in Calais and to protect our shared border. We supported the humanitarian operation to clear the Calais migrant camp in October 2016, which involved the transfer of more than 750 children to the UK and funding to help provide migrants in Calais – including children – with suitable facilities elsewhere in France. Our law enforcement agencies work closely together to</p><p>tackle smuggling and trafficking. Home Office officials meet with their French colleagues on a regular basis.</p><p> </p><p>According to Eurostat data, 63,300 unaccompanied children claimed asylum in the EU in 2016:</p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290" target="_blank">http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8016696/3-11052017-AP-EN.pdf/30ca2206-0db9-4076-a681-e069a4bc5290</a></p><p> </p><p>This includes a breakdown of asylum applications by EU Member State.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 20/10/2017 13:58:26 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms