Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Refugee Resettlement

Monday 28 September 2020 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The United Kingdom has run Europe's leading resettlement scheme over the past five years.
  • The resettlement programme is currently paused owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The UK government intends to recommence the resettlement programme when circumstances allow.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The UK's refugee resettlement scheme has been paused due to the coronavirus pandemic. The programme had previously resettled more people directly from conflict zones than any other European country.

Question

What plans does she have for refugee resettlement after September 2021?

Answer from Chris Philp

The United Kingdom has run Europe's leading resettlement scheme over the past five years. It is currently paused owing to coronavirus, but we will resume activity as soon as it is safely and properly possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assurances or funding commitments beyond September 2021 were provided regarding future continuation of the scheme.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The UK's refugee resettlement scheme has been paused due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government has not allocated funding for these schemes beyond September 2021.

Question

What assurances can the Minister give me that the UK will continue to provide safe sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution after September 2021?

Answer from Chris Philp

We are currently going through a spending review process where questions of funding will be considered. The resettlement programme is paused due to coronavirus, but our intention is to appropriately recommence it when circumstances allow. I thank the questioner for acknowledging the leading nature of this scheme in Europe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assurances or funding commitments beyond September 2021 were provided regarding future continuation of the scheme.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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