UK considers taking in thousands of Syrian child refugees

Britain is considering whether it could do more for the estimated 3000 children who have fled Syria without their parents or guardians.

Syrian refugee children play outside their family tents to a camp in the town of Saadnayel, in the Bekaa valley, Lebanon

Syrian refugee children play outside their family tents to a camp in the town of Saadnayel, in the Bekaa valley, Lebanon Source: AAP

Britain might take in refugee children who have been displaced by the war in Syria and have travelled to other countries in Europe.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening on Sunday said the government was considering whether it could do more for the estimated 3000 children who have fled the conflict without their parents or guardians and are in Europe.

Asked whether the government was close to agreeing to calls from relief groups for Britain to admit the children, Greening told Sky News television: "That's what we are doing and I think that is the right thing."

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said Britain would accept 20,000 refugees over the next five years from camps in the Middle East - as opposed to those who have already made it to Europe.

Critics say that response has been meagre when compared with the 1.1 million asylum seekers who arrived in Germany last year.

Campaign groups and more than 80 Church of England bishops have urged Cameron to do more.


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Published 25 January 2016 7:22am
Updated 25 January 2016 10:57am
Source: AAP


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