Anger as ministers quietly shut child refugee scheme
'Dubs scheme' designed to bring thousands of children to UK closes after taking in just 350
A government scheme to help child refugees caught up in Europe's migrant crisis is set to close after accepting only 350 young people.
Last year, the government launched what became known as the Dubs amendment, named after Lord Dubs, a peer and former refugee who lobbied for the programme.
The law was designed to help unaccompanied children displaced across Europe, whose numbers are estimated at 90,000.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The exact number of children to be taken in was never specified, though campaigners originally called for 3,000 under-18s to be admitted into the UK, says Sky News.
In a statement, the Home Office announced it would close the scheme and stop receiving refugees at the end of March after accepting only 350 children.
A spokesman for Downing Street said the scheme was "dependent on the resources that councils can provide and the feedback that we have received is that we can deal with 350 children. There is a limit on the capacity local authorities have to provide that level of care."
Lord Dubs has described the decision to halt the scheme as "shameful".
"They shouldn't close the scheme, they should take more children as more local authorities step up to the mark and offer foster places," he told Sky News.
"We're not the only country that should be taking unaccompanied child refugees, but we have no right to back off and say we're not going to take any. I think that's really shabby."
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat leader, said the closure of the scheme amounted to a "betrayal of these vulnerable children and a betrayal of British values".
According to the BBC, a legal challenge on the government's handling of the scheme will go ahead on Friday.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - devilish decrees, biblical blunders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection process
Cartoons Artists take on a stress-free life, rare peers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good democracies include their poorest citizens. The UK excludes them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published