Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are not continuing the EU policy of assisting child refugees to be reunited with their families in the UK.

The Government’s policy has not changed and protecting vulnerable children will remain our priority after we leave the EU. The new Clause 37 in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill reaffirms this commitment while clarifying the role of Parliament and Government in negotiations. Additionally Clause 37 places an obligation on the Government to lay a statement before Parliament on the progress of negotiations.

The Government is clear that we remain committed to seeking an agreement with the EU on this issue, and the Home Secretary wrote to the European Commission on 22 October to begin negotiations. The UK will continue to be bound by the Dublin Regulation provisions during the implementation period, allowing us to continue to transfer family reunion cases to the UK throughout 2020.