Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will extend the Mandate Refugee Resettlement Scheme to include having siblings in the UK as a key factor for resettlement in cases where separation has occurred because of persecution caused by religion or belief; and if not, why not.

The UK has a proud history of providing refuge to those seeking sanctuary. There is already provision for wider family members (including adult siblings) to be considered for resettlement to the UK under the Mandate scheme, where there are exceptional circumstances.

This applies in all cases, including where UNHCR identifies that persecution because of religion or belief is a contributing factor in their protection needs.