Archbishop '˜saddened' by child refugee cap

The Most Rev Justin Welby said he had believed ministers were “committed to welcoming up to 3,000 children” under last year’s Dubs amendment, and it is “regrettable” such a small proportion have been given sanctuary.

His intervention piles further pressure on the Government, which has faced heavy criticism from MPs and peers after it quietly announced a cap on the number of lone child refugees Britain will accept.

Challenged on the decision in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary Amber Rudd suggested the scheme had been halted over fears it is encouraging people traffickers.

Last year, the Labour peer Lord Alfred Dubs was successful in amending the Government’s Immigration Act to include a requirement to accept “a specified number of unaccompanied refugee children from other countries in Europe”.

Proponents of the clause originally argued for a target of 3,000 children, but this figure was not contained in the final wording of the Bill.

On Wednesday the Home Office released a statement in which it disclosed 350 unaccompanied have been received to date, citing limited capacity among local authorities to provide housing and care.

In a subsequent debate, called for by Yorkshire MP Yvette Cooper, Mrs Rudd said there were also concerns the scheme “encourages the people traffickers”.

“I am clear, through working with my French counterparts, that they do not want us to continue to accept children under the Dubs amendment indefinitely,” she said. “They specify that [it] acts as a draw, and I agree with them... It encourages the people traffickers.

“We have done what we were obliged to do, and we have correctly put a number on it.

“The UK has a strong reputation in Europe and internationally for looking after the most vulnerable. That will continue.”

Responding to the news, Mr Welby urged the Government to reconsider. “I was saddened and shocked to read... that only 350 children will be received under the regulations,” he said.

“Our country has a great history of welcoming those in need, particularly the most vulnerable, such as unaccompanied children.

“Refugees, like all people, are treasured human beings... who deserve safety, freedom and the opportunity to flourish.

“To end the scheme now, when such a small proportion have actually entered the country, is regrettable. Local authorities, who are bearing the costs of the resettlement, must be given the resources and time needed to meet our original commitment.”

In a separate debate in the House of Lords, Lord Dubs accused the Government of being “in breach of their own commitments”. “It was not long ago that the Prime Minister, when she was Home Secretary, told me that the Government were prepared to accept the amendment, and... the then Immigration Minister said to me that the Government would accept the letter and the spirit of that amendment,” he said.

“In arbitrarily closing down a scheme without any good reason for doing so, I believe that the Government are in breach of their own commitments.”