AN emergency debate will be held in Parliament later on Britain’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
David Cameron has said the UK will accept up to 20,000 people from camps surrounding Syria over the next five years, with priority given to vulnerable children.
But Labour said that was inadequate and secured the three-hour Commons debate.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper insisted the UK must also help refugees who have already reached Europe.
The prime minister said the UK had a “moral responsibility” to those displaced by the conflict in Syria.
But he said taking people from camps in Syria, Turkey and Jordan would provide a “direct and safe” route to safety, instead of encouraging them to make the “hazardous” journey across the Mediterranean by boat.
The new arrivals will be offered five-year humanitarian visas, under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, and their resettlement will be paid for in the first year from the overseas aid budget. (BBC News)
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34183150
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