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Written question asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 28 October 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 November 2020. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 November 2020 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the deaths in the English Channel on 27 October, what plans they have to urgently arrange a safe legal route for refugees to enter the United Kingdom.

Answer

This week’s tragic event highlights the danger to life from channel crossings and the need to stop callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people.

Safe and legal routes are a core part of our proposed reforms to the asylum system to ensure it is both firm and fair. As Baroness Williams has previously made clear in Lords, as an integral part of that work the Government will conduct a review of safe and legal routes to the UK for asylum seekers, refugees and their families. This government intends to bring forward legislation next year that will deliver some of our much-needed reforms.

The UK already provides safe and legal routes for people to join family members in the UK through existing Immigration Rules and have a proud record of providing safety to those who need it through our world-leading resettlement schemes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9742
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Death Undocumented migrants Refugees Safety English Channel
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk