Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to put in place extra levels of protection for unaccompanied children fleeing Ukraine to the UK.

We recognise the deeply troubling circumstances faced by all Ukrainians who are caught up in this conflict, including unaccompanied minors, and the role many countries will need to play to safeguard those children.

Safeguarding and protection of these vulnerable children is paramount. We have therefore held a number of discussions with leading international organisations who are working to ensure appropriate systems are put in place to process and safeguard unaccompanied minors who are fleeing Ukraine.

The Ukraine Family Scheme provides an immediate pathway for those Ukrainians, including unaccompanied minors, with family already settled in the UK to come to our country. The relevant safeguarding checks will be performed as part of the application process. It is designed to allow as many people as possible to come to Britain and gives them immediate access to the support they need.

The routes and visa changes which we have announced so far follow extensive engagement with the Ukrainian Government to ensure they respond directly to their needs and asks. We will continue to work closely with them going forward.

We are committed to working with local government to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, particularly for any unaccompanied minors who may arrive and for whom there is no option of being reunited with extended family. The UK already has well established policies in this area for unaccompanied children.