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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 are arriving in the UK from Calais within hours and will later be reunited with relatives. | Fourteen migrant children are arriving in the UK from Calais within hours 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. | |
| 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: "Our priority must be to ensure the safety and security of the children in the Calais camp. | A Home Office spokesperson said: "Our priority must be to ensure the safety and security of the children in the Calais camp. |
| "Work is continuing on both sides of the Channel to ensure this happens as a matter of urgency." | "Work is continuing on both sides of the Channel to ensure this happens as a matter of urgency." |
| 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. |