Published on
27 April 2023
Barnardo's CEO Lynn Perry MBE, said:
“We are deeply concerned that the Government has today missed a critical opportunity to make urgent changes to the Illegal Migration Bill in order to protect refugee children.
“In its current form, the Bill will prevent children from putting forward their case for asylum in the UK, as well as giving the Secretary of State the power to detain and remove children arriving in the country without a parent or guardian. It will also disqualify some children who have been trafficked from receiving the vital support they desperately need.
“We urge the Government to amend the Bill to ensure all children who seek refuge are welcomed and kept safe from harm."