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Calais migrant children 'delay' concerns ex-archbishop | Calais migrant children 'delay' concerns ex-archbishop |
(35 minutes later) | |
The government has been accused by a former Archbishop of Canterbury of dragging its feet over accepting children from Calais's Jungle camp. | The government has been accused by a former Archbishop of Canterbury of dragging its feet over accepting children from Calais's Jungle camp. |
Rowan Williams said "the clock is ticking" because of the expected demolition of the site next week. | Rowan Williams said "the clock is ticking" because of the expected demolition of the site next week. |
Fourteen migrant children aged 14 to 17 have arrived in the UK from Calais and will later be reunited with relatives. | |
But Lord Williams said no process had yet been put in place to accept children without family in the UK. | But Lord Williams said no process had yet been put in place to accept children without family in the UK. |
Home Secretary Amber Rudd last week indicated unaccompanied children, both those with and without relatives in the UK, would be allowed into Britain. | Home Secretary Amber Rudd last week indicated unaccompanied children, both those with and without relatives in the UK, would be allowed into Britain. |
An EU regulation allows children to seek UK asylum because they have close relatives in the country but a number of other children became eligible for admission under an amendment to the Immigration Act introduced in May by Lord Dubs. | An EU regulation allows children to seek UK asylum because they have close relatives in the country but a number of other children became eligible for admission under an amendment to the Immigration Act introduced in May by Lord Dubs. |
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Williams said the UK had a "basic moral imperative" to offer security to "deeply traumatised and deeply needy people". | Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Williams said the UK had a "basic moral imperative" to offer security to "deeply traumatised and deeply needy people". |
He said: "We have the beginnings of some sort of response to what is still a hugely troubling... situation." | He said: "We have the beginnings of some sort of response to what is still a hugely troubling... situation." |
Lord Williams said more than 3,000 places for children without relatives in the UK had been offered by 44 local councils. | Lord Williams said more than 3,000 places for children without relatives in the UK had been offered by 44 local councils. |
He said while it was "very welcome that at last the government has taken some official steps to get the children coming... I'm not sure why there is such foot-dragging". | He said while it was "very welcome that at last the government has taken some official steps to get the children coming... I'm not sure why there is such foot-dragging". |
He added: "But we have had confirmation that the home secretary is eager to see movement... and we want to press that willingness and make sure it delivers". | He added: "But we have had confirmation that the home secretary is eager to see movement... and we want to press that willingness and make sure it delivers". |
Under the EU rules, asylum claims must be made in the first safe country a person reaches, but children can have their claim transferred to another country if they have family members living there. | Under the EU rules, asylum claims must be made in the first safe country a person reaches, but children can have their claim transferred to another country if they have family members living there. |
Meanwhile, the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities in England and Wales, has said councils will require long-term help from the government so the support of unaccompanied children is "properly funded". | Meanwhile, the Local Government Association, which represents local authorities in England and Wales, has said councils will require long-term help from the government so the support of unaccompanied children is "properly funded". |
'Matter of urgency' | 'Matter of urgency' |
Most of those arriving in the UK later are understood to be teenage boys. | Most of those arriving in the UK later are understood to be teenage boys. |
They are from Afghanistan and Syria, while one is a stateless Bidun who originated from Kuwait. | They are from Afghanistan and Syria, while one is a stateless Bidun who originated from Kuwait. |
They are among about 100 minors who will be brought over by the Home Office before the Jungle camp is dismantled. | They are among about 100 minors who will be brought over by the Home Office before the Jungle camp is dismantled. |
Their first task will be to register with the Home Office in Croydon. | Their first task will be to register with the Home Office in Croydon. |
A number of checks also need to take place, to ensure they will be in a safe environment with their relatives. Ahead of any family reunions, the children will be cared for by state agencies. | A number of checks also need to take place, to ensure they will be in a safe environment with their relatives. Ahead of any family reunions, the children will be cared for by state agencies. |
A Home Office spokesperson said: "This is the start of the process to transfer as many eligible children as possible before the start of the clearance, as the home secretary set out in Parliament. | |
"These vulnerable children... were transferred to the UK under the care of Home Office staff, with the support of volunteers from specialist NGOs and charities. They will join their families in the UK as quickly as possible over the coming days." | |
Anne Longfield, children's commissioner for England, said: "For those arriving, plans must be in place to ensure they are supported to get over their traumatic experiences, into schools and that they get any health treatment needed. | Anne Longfield, children's commissioner for England, said: "For those arriving, plans must be in place to ensure they are supported to get over their traumatic experiences, into schools and that they get any health treatment needed. |
"Apart from those with rights to come to the UK there are several hundred other children in the camp, the vast majority on their own." | "Apart from those with rights to come to the UK there are several hundred other children in the camp, the vast majority on their own." |
The charity Citizens UK, which is working alongside the government, echoed Lord Williams's concerns over the plight of children with no family connections in the UK. | The charity Citizens UK, which is working alongside the government, echoed Lord Williams's concerns over the plight of children with no family connections in the UK. |
"These are children who are particularly vulnerable. It appears that no system has been put in place to register and assess these children, despite assurances from home secretary," it said. | "These are children who are particularly vulnerable. It appears that no system has been put in place to register and assess these children, despite assurances from home secretary," it said. |
It is estimated up to 10,000 people are living in the Jungle, which is situated near the port of Calais, and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel. | It is estimated up to 10,000 people are living in the Jungle, which is situated near the port of Calais, and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel. |
Many of the migrants in northern France attempt to reach the UK by boarding lorries as they approach ports or the tunnel. | Many of the migrants in northern France attempt to reach the UK by boarding lorries as they approach ports or the tunnel. |
French President Francois Hollande wants to move the inhabitants of the Jungle to reception centres across the country and demolish the camp. | French President Francois Hollande wants to move the inhabitants of the Jungle to reception centres across the country and demolish the camp. |
Aid groups have raised concerns that the planned closure will lead to children disappearing before they are processed. | Aid groups have raised concerns that the planned closure will lead to children disappearing before they are processed. |