Following a government announcement on child refugees in March 2017, Anne reacted by writing to the government with her concerns that ministers were reneging on their target of 3,000 minors being resettled in the UK.

In the minister’s reply, Robert Goodwill stated that, ‘In 2016, the UK granted asylum or another form of leave to over 8,000 children.  By the end of this parliament we will have resettled 20,000 Syrian nationals […] and a further 3,000 of the most vulnerable children and their families from the Middle East and North Africa region under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme.’ 

In her letter to the home office, Anne said,

‘Whilst I understand that the government has stated that the scheme is not closed, I do note with concern that there are some who believe that the government is reneging on its commitment to resettle 3,000 unaccompanied minors.  I also understand that the secretary of state, in her statement of February 9, seemed to suggest that councils around the country had determined that they were only able to accommodate around 400 children under this particular piece of legislation. 

‘I have written Hertfordshire county council (HCC) asking if they are able to accommodate more children if more numbers are agreed to under ‘Dubs’.  As you are aware, HCC has resettled 10 children in the county.  To that end, what assistance are you providing councils around the country with, and is there any further help you can lend to HCC?

‘You may already know that we have some excellent charities in St Albans who have been keen to give assistance when and where they can.  Indeed, local residents as part of local charities have previously visited the camp in Calais.  What information is there for charities looking to work with government and local authorities on helping resettle children and families her in the UK?’

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