Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Seekers: Resettlement and Relocation

Monday 28 September 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government is investigating ways to assist Greece, including using overseas aid money and examining family reunion rules under Dublin regulations.
  • The UK has fulfilled its Dubs scheme obligation by bringing 380 unaccompanied children from Europe and has relocated over 100 people directly from Greece.
  • Home Office paused cessations for positive asylum cases on 27 March and resumed them on August 11 in a phased manner, now beginning the process for negative cases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stella Creasy Labour (Co-op) Walthamstow
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Following a fire at Moria refugee camp on Lesvos, leaving 13,000 homeless and affecting unaccompanied refugee children, the questioner seeks relocation assistance for these individuals.

Question

If she will relocate a number of unaccompanied refugee children affected by the recent fire at Moria refugee camp on Lesvos from Greece to the UK. The hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) asks if we can assist with relocating some of these vulnerable individuals.

Answer from Chris Philp

We are investigating ways that the United Kingdom Government can help our colleagues in Greece, including using overseas aid money and assisting with family reunion rules under Dublin regulations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is looking at providing shelter assistance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to relocate vulnerable children beyond family reunion rules was not provided

How: Investigating Ways, Looking At Possibilities

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Stuart McDonald SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Conditions in Aegean islands are overcrowded and worsened by a fire leaving 13,000 homeless. Ten countries have agreed to take some unaccompanied minors.

Question

Given the Home Secretary's emphasis on safe legal routes, will the Government join Germany and France in offering to relocate vulnerable asylum seekers from Aegean islands beyond family reunion rules?

Answer from Chris Philp

We are investigating ways that we can help Greece, including using overseas aid money and looking at people entitled to be relocated under Dublin regulations. We will do everything possible to meet our obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to relocate beyond family reunion rules was not provided

How: Investigating Ways, Looking At Possibilities

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Stella Creasy Labour (Co-op) Walthamstow
Asylum & Refugees
Context

13,000 refugees are homeless due to fires in Greece. 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with a quarantine capacity of just 30. Ten countries have agreed to take some minors.

Question

Some 13,000 refugees are without shelter after recent fires in Greece, including 3,800 children. The UK has taken only 16 from the camp under the Dubs scheme while promising to take 3,000. Will the Minister meet to discuss what more can be done?

Answer from Chris Philp

We have fulfilled our Dubs obligation by bringing 380 unaccompanied children from Europe. Over 100 people have been relocated from Greece directly here. The FCDO is looking at ways to provide shelter assistance in the Aegean islands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to meet and discuss further actions was not provided

How: Fulfilled Dubs Obligation, Looking At Ways

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Holly Lynch Lab
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Partner agencies were notified to lift a ban on asylum evictions as of September 15, raising concerns about public health risks.

Question

The Home Office lifted the ban on asylum evictions as we enter a second wave of infections. Can the Minister share the plan to ensure these risks do not become reality?

Answer from Chris Philp

On 27 March, cessations were paused for positive asylum cases and resumed on August 11 in a phased manner. We are now beginning the process for negative cases, moving them carefully into local authority accommodation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan to ensure risks do not materialize was not provided

How: Phased Approach, Careful Steps

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)