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Written question asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 November 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 November 2016. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 November 2016 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum: Children

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from the Calais refugee camp have been granted leave to remain in the UK under (1) the Dublin III Regulations, and (2) the provisions of section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.

Answer

All children transferred here under the Dublin Regulation or under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 will be expected to make an asylum claim in the UK, which will be considered according to normal processes. We aim to decide 98 per cent of straightforward asylum claims within six months. Where a child does not qualify for asylum and it is clear that safe and adequate reception arrangements are not available in their home country, they will be granted leave to remain under the Immigration Rules for 30 months or until they reach the age of 17 and a half, whichever is shorter.

The Government already has a comprehensive approach to safeguarding children, including refugee children. We recognise that the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children arriving in the UK has risen over the last few years, including through the transfer of hundreds of children from Calais. That is why the Written Ministerial Statement (HLWS231) made on 1 November by my noble friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System committed to the publication, by 1 May 2017, of a strategy setting out further detail on how these children will be safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

This strategy will compliment and build on existing safeguarding guidance and procedures. We have already been working with local authorities, charities and other organisations to make sure plans are in place to give these children the support they need.

We will be working with the relevant agencies to develop this further over the coming months. In line with the legislation we will in due course specify the number of unaccompanied refugee children to be transferred to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3227
Session
2016-17
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Children Asylum EU law Calais Dublin regulations
Legislation
Immigration Act 2016
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk