“But the principle we should try to cling to is that we shouldn’t do anything that encourages people to make the perilous journey”.
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“I trust the prime minister will be true to his word and move swiftly to ensure the Home Office works closely with local authorities to find foster families to give these young people a stable and secure home”, Dubs says.
But with Immigration Minister James Brokenshire due to meet a growing band of rebel Tory MPs before the House of Commons debates the Bill again next week, ministers have been told they could be facing defeat.
“We shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the Government has suddenly discovered its conscience while it’s simultaneously vilifying asylum seekers who are already in the United Kingdom and doing its best to trap all other refugees in poor countries”, she said.
Prime Minister David Cameron has signalled a partial climbdown on an amendment to accept 3,000 Syrian refugee children in the UK.
She said: “The prime minister mentioned in PMQs last week “relative safety in Europe”.
That’s why we are taking people from the refugee camps as a result of this awful Syrian civil war and we’re working with others, with charities, with other political parties, talking to people about what we can do to help the unaccompanied children as well, where we’re already providing financial support.
The pressure on Downing Street had intensified earlier today with the Association of Jewish Refugees – responsible for veterans of the Kindertransport programme that rescued children from Nazi Europe – calling for action.
Under the “new initiative”, the United Kingdom will take unaccompanied children from France, Italy and Greece registered in Europe before 20 March, when the EU-Turkey pact came into force.
His spokesman said the government would be talking to local councils to make sure the necessary support exists to take in more children.
Allen pointed out that at the last count 150 unaccompanied children at the makeshift “Jungle” refugee camp near Calais had relatives in the UK.
A new compromise is expected to be announced today.
Former shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who now heads Labour’s refugee task group, said “much more detail” was needed about the Government’s plans.
Bowing to huge pressure from his own MPs, the House of Lords and many charities, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government would accept a proposal to allow councils to find homes for unaccompanied children in European Union refugee camps. “They face being dragged into prostitution criminality and drugs and they need our help”.
Tanya Steele, chief executive of Save the Children said it was a “significant announcement” for lone refugee children across Europe.
“If what we are hearing now is the beginnings of a U-turn, I very much welcome it – as I am sure do members from all parts of the House”.
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While it is predominantly aimed at Syrians, the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said small numbers from other countries could benefit.
