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UK to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria by 2020 UK to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria by 2020
(35 minutes later)
The UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years, David Cameron has told MPs.The UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years, David Cameron has told MPs.
The prime minister said the UK had a "moral responsibility" to resettle refugees living in camps bordering Syria while also doing all it can to end the conflict in the country.The prime minister said the UK had a "moral responsibility" to resettle refugees living in camps bordering Syria while also doing all it can to end the conflict in the country.
Vulnerable children and orphans would be prioritised in what would be a "national effort", Mr Cameron said.Vulnerable children and orphans would be prioritised in what would be a "national effort", Mr Cameron said.
The international aid budget will be used to help councils house people.The international aid budget will be used to help councils house people.
France earlier announced that it would take in 24,000 refugees over the next two years.France earlier announced that it would take in 24,000 refugees over the next two years.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Cameron also revealed that a British citizen believed to planning terrorist attacks on the UK had been killed in an RAF drone strike in Syria last month. In a statement to Parliament, Mr Cameron also revealed that two British-born nationals believed to planning terrorist attacks on the UK were killed in an RAF drone strike in Syria last month.
'Safe route'
Mr Cameron told MPs that the suffering of the Syrian people and others trying to make it to Europe in recent weeks was "heartbreaking" and that the UK was stepping up its effort to help those displaced by the conflict.Mr Cameron told MPs that the suffering of the Syrian people and others trying to make it to Europe in recent weeks was "heartbreaking" and that the UK was stepping up its effort to help those displaced by the conflict.
He told MPs that the existing Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, in place since early 2014, would be expanded, with an additional 20,000 people currently living in camps in Syria, Turkey and Jordan being resettled in the UK by 2020.He told MPs that the existing Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, in place since early 2014, would be expanded, with an additional 20,000 people currently living in camps in Syria, Turkey and Jordan being resettled in the UK by 2020.
'Safe route'
People brought to Britain under VPR have been granted Humanitarian Protection, a status normally used for people who "don't qualify for asylum" but would be at "real risk of suffering serious harm" in their home country.People brought to Britain under VPR have been granted Humanitarian Protection, a status normally used for people who "don't qualify for asylum" but would be at "real risk of suffering serious harm" in their home country.
They can stay for five years, have the right to work and access public funds. After five years they can apply to settle in the UK.They can stay for five years, have the right to work and access public funds. After five years they can apply to settle in the UK.
Mr Cameron told MPs that the criteria applied to the scheme would be widened and that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees would be responsible for identifying and assessing those most in need. Mr Cameron told MPs many of those to be given sanctuary would be children, describing it as the "modern equivalent of the Kinder transport" during World War Two.
"We are proposing that Britain should resettle up to 20,000 Syrian refugees over the rest of this Parliament," he said. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees would be responsible for identifying those most in need, with all those considered for resettlement to be subject to security checks.
"In doing so we will continue to show the world that this country is a country of extra compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need." 'Extra compassion'
The government, he said, would work with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and councils in England to ensure that the maximum capacity was available.
"We will continue to show the world that this country is a country of extra compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need," Mr Cameron said.
"Britain will play its part alongside our other European partners but because we're not part of the EU's borderless Schengen agreement or its relocation initiative Britain is able to decide its own approach."Britain will play its part alongside our other European partners but because we're not part of the EU's borderless Schengen agreement or its relocation initiative Britain is able to decide its own approach.
"We will continue with our approach of taking refugees from the camps and elsewhere in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route to the UK rather than risking the hazardous journey to European which has tragically cost so many lives." "We will continue with our approach of taking refugees from the camps and elsewhere in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route to the UK rather than risking the hazardous journey to Europe which has tragically cost so many lives."
Labour leader Harriet Harman said the government was doing the "right thing" but there was an urgent need for action now and questioned whether there was scope to accept more than 4,000 refugees this year. The scheme will be paid for in the first year from the overseas aid budget. After that, Mr Cameron said the government would have consider, in co-operation with local councils, how it would be financed.
'Proud tradition'
The PM defended his response to the migrant crisis - which has been criticised in recent days - insisting the UK was giving £1bn in humanitarian aid to Syria and that by accepting refugees directly from camps it was discouraging people from taking the "potentially lethal" crossing across the Mediterranean.
Tory MPs welcomed the move and although Labour leader Harriet Harman said the government was doing the "right thing" she said there was an urgent need for action now and questioned whether there was scope to accept more than 4,000 this year.
She also called on the government to reconsider its refusal to accept any refugees currently in southern Europe.She also called on the government to reconsider its refusal to accept any refugees currently in southern Europe.
The SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson said it was "appalling" that only 216 refugees had been given sanctuary so far while veteran Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman said the UK's efforts stood in stark contrast to that of Germany, which had accepted 10,000 refugees in a single day.
Save The Children urged the government to come to the aid of the 3,000 or so unaccompanied children who had travelled to Europe.
"The prime minister could continue a proud British tradition of giving lone children a second chance in Britain," it said.