child refugee family reunion

Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about child refugee family reunion.

I agree with you on this important issue. Families belong together and I think we should be doing everything we can to help reunite those that have been separated after experiencing the trauma of war, persecution and conflict. This is about who we want to be as a country.

I believe section 37 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act is therefore a major breach of faith with some of the most vulnerable children in the world. It removes a previous requirement on the Government to negotiate an agreement with the EU on the rights of unaccompanied refugee children to be
reunited with their families in the UK and Europe. Without a new agreement, existing provisions for unaccompanied child refugees will end this year.

I supported an amendment on 8 January to protect the right for unaccompanied child refugees to be reunited with their families in the UK after Brexit. Unfortunately, it was defeated by 348 votes to 252.

As you know, an amendment was then successfully made in the House of Lords to this effect. Unfortunately, when the amendment returned to the House of Commons it was once again removed by 342 votes to 254, despite my support.

I believe this proposal would have protected some of the most vulnerable children and I am very disappointed that it was not accepted. I am concerned that removing access to safe and legal routes for refugee children will increase the risk of trafficking.

The Government has said it remains committed to seeking a reciprocal agreement with the EU on family reunion for unaccompanied children. I will ensure the Government is held to account on this.

I will continue to press for the UK to live up to its moral and legal obligations to child refugees and their families. Thank you once again for contacting me and for sharing your views on this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP