Published on
04 July 2025
On Friday 4 July, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that all migrants who arrive on an overcrowded boat where a child has died should face prosecution.
Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said: “Children seeking sanctuary in the UK often face a dangerous path to reach safety. This often comes after they’ve already faced conflict, famine or the death of loved ones in their young lives.
“While we appreciate the government highlighting these dangers, real change will only come when families have access to safe and regular routes for their asylum claims to be assessed.
“Until those routes are in place, children will continue to be put in dangerous, and sometimes deadly, situations.”