PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Palestinians: Refugees (13 May 2024)

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make an estimate of the number of unaccompanied children in Gaza that have family in the UK; and whether he is taking steps to support family reunions in those cases.

Asked by:
Dr Rupa Huq (Labour)

Far too many children in Gaza have been orphaned or separated from their parents. We do not have an estimate of how many of these may have family in the UK. The UK is supporting a number of agencies who are targeting funding to respond to the needs of these children. The UK's funding to the Red Cross Movement, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Pooled Fund has supported their work to identify unaccompanied minors, provide care options, and in some cases reunited children with family members.

Palestinians who wish to join family members in the UK may apply to do so via the existing range of routes available. Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules and our suitability requirements. Consideration will be given to compelling, compassionate and exceptional circumstances raised and may be taken into account where certain requirements are not met.

Answered by:
Mr Andrew Mitchell (Conservative)
24 May 2024