Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to create a route for asylum seekers to cross the English Channel to the UK safely.

HL7708:

The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it, for as long as it is needed, in accordance with our obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. However, there is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Whilst we sympathise with people in difficult situations, we are not bound to consider asylum claims from the very large numbers of people overseas who might like to come here. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety. France is one such safe country – with a fully functioning asylum system and over 100,000 asylum claims lodged last year

The UK’s resettlement schemes have provided safe and legal routes for tens of thousands of people, who have been given the chance to start new lives in safety. We purposefully resettle those in greatest need of protection, including those who require urgent medical treatment, survivors of violence and torture, and women and children at risk. . We resettle more refugees than any other country in Europe and are in the top five countries worldwide. Since 2015, we have resettled more than 25,000 refugees.

While resettlement arrivals are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will resume them as soon as conditions allow, and meet our full commitment to those fleeing the Syrian conflict.

HL7709:

The original animation was cleared by the Minister for Immigration, Compliance & the Courts; we have since removed this content from official government channels.