Asked by: Will Quince (Conservative - Colchester)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to consult with local authorities on whether they can make more places available under Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
On February 8, the Government announced that we will transfer the specified number of 350 children to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act following consultation with local authorities on capacity. We ran a full consultation process, with regional events in every part of England, one in Scotland and one in Wales. Over 400 local authority representatives attended the regional events. Any further places offered by local authorities will be gratefully received, and we will use them to fulfil our existing commitments, including ensuring a fairer distribution of children between local authorities through the National Transfer Scheme.
In July 2016 the Government significantly increased the funding it provides to local authorities who look after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Local authorities now receive £41,610 per annum year for each unaccompanied asylum-seeking child aged under 16 and £33,215 per annum for unaccompanied asylum-seeking child aged 16 and 17. This represents a 20% and 28% increase in funding respectively. In addition, the Government went further and also increased the funding it provides to local authorities for those young people who turn 18 and go on to attract leaving care support by 33%. We will be working with local authority partners to conduct a review of our funding rates and remain fully committed to maintaining the current rates.
Asked by: Will Quince (Conservative - Colchester)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children outside of formal camps in Greece and Italy are assessed for relocation to the UK under the Dublin Regulation and Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
We have seconded an expert to Greece to support these efforts, and are working in conjunction with the Greek authorities, UNHCR and NGOs to identify children whose best interests may be served by a transfer to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act, pending the publication of the basis on which the transfers will be made.
In Italy, our long-standing secondee is also working closely with the Italian authorities. Our secondees are also working to support the timely and efficient operation of the Dublin Regulation, in order to ensure that children with close family in the UK can be reunited. Furthermore, the UK has established a £10 million Refugee Children’s Fund to support the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant children arriving in Europe.
Asked by: Will Quince (Conservative - Colchester)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the eligibility criteria for the 150 remaining places announced under Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, and for any further transfers to the UK, will prioritise individual vulnerability and the best interests of children.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
We will announce in due course the basis on which further children will be transferred from Europe to the UK, where it is in their best interests, under section 67 of the Immigration Act to the specified number.