There is no reason or evidence to believe that the UK will suddenly turn its back on unaccompanied children when we leave the EU. I say this because people have emailed me dismayed that MPs (including myself) rejected an amendment to the Withdrawal Agreement in relation to unaccompanied children. Government policy has not changed on this matter – protecting vulnerable children remains a key priority and the UK has a proud record of doing so through our asylum system and our resettlement schemes. In the last 12 months, the UK granted protection to over 7,500 children, and to 41,000 children since 2010. This is more than the vast majority of EU countries have done to help vulnerable children. Furthermore, in the last ten years, the UK received asylum applications from over 23,000 unaccompanied children. In 2018, the UK received over 3,000 asylum claims from unaccompanied children, accounting for 15% of all claims from unaccompanied children in the EU and making the UK Europe’s third-highest intake country. The Government remains fully committed to the principle of family unity and to helping and supporting the most vulnerable children. As of September 2019, over 18,250 people have been resettled through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and over 1,700 have been resettled through the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS). Over half those resettled via these two schemes have been children. The UK will continue to reunite unaccompanied children with children with family members in the UK under the Dublin Regulation during the implementation period, processing and deciding all ‘take back’ requests that have been submitted. The Prime Minister made clear the importance this Government places on ensuring that unaccompanied children who are seeking international protection in an EU Member State can continue to be reunited with specified family members who are in the UK, as well as children in the UK with family in the EU, following the UK’s exit from the EU.
At time of writing the Government is considering finding a legal route to help Flybe avoid collapse. The difficulty is that the Government is committed to improving connectivity to regions outside of London whilst also committed to cutting carbon emissions. I accept that the Government may need to take interim measures such as cutting air passenger duty. Flybe provides more than half of the internal flights outside London. However, I have written to the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and Business Secretary asking that even greater investment is ploughed into our rail link and that a way is found to cut train fares. It is ludicrous that flights can often be the cheapest option for travel. I was also pleased to have the opportunity to make this point during the Government debate in relation to the proposed Green Industrial Revolution on Wednesday.
Locally my next drop-in event is this Friday (17th) at The Queens in St Ives at 5.30pm and on Friday 24th at 8.30am at Helston Central Church. To keep an eye on when these events take place so that you can share your concern or idea, go to derekthomas.org