Young Asylum Seekers: Deportation

Baroness Howarth of Breckland Excerpts

Monday 9th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

However, I am advised that for the year 2014 the number of removals was 402, and for 2015 it was 333.

[Baroness Howarth of Breckland (CB)]

My Lords, if it is unsafe for youngsters to return to their countries of origin before they are 18, how do those countries suddenly become safe? I ask this question because a number of young people with family here—I have met such young people, some of whom are as young as six—suddenly discover, when they are 18 and starting school, that they do not have the right papers. Why has that not been investigated sooner? Why are children not returned home sooner when it is safe, not at 18 when their lives are changing?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

With regard to children who have been here from the tender ages mentioned by the noble Baroness, I would point out that where a person under 18 has lived continuously in the United Kingdom for seven years or more and it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave, arrangements will be made for them to remain.