On Monday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government would temporarily suspend new applications under the existing dedicated refugee family reunion route that allows those granted asylum in the UK to bring their family.
In response to this news, Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “We are deeply concerned by this week’s announcement of the suspension of the family reunification route, which will only make it harder for children to reunite with their parents in the UK.
“It’s already the case that children who arrive alone in the UK and are then granted refugee status are unable to bring their parents or siblings to the UK from other countries. These changes will cause additional barriers and prevent more families from being reunited.
“Although we are pleased to hear that the Home Secretary will prioritise families in the new UK-France Returns Agreement, the vast majority of children seeking sanctuary in the UK face challenging paths to safety. We must remember that every child seeking sanctuary is, first and foremost, a child – deserving of the same love, care and security that all children need to thrive.”