RE: Nobody should have to risk their life by crossing the channel on a flimsy dinghy.

I am writing to you today deeply troubled by the future of family reunion commitments for child refugees once we leave the EU.

The best way for dangerous crossings over the channel to stop is to provide safe and legal routes for those seeking sanctuary, yet the government is failing to provide certainty on replacements for two such schemes that have ended or are ending this year.

This week’s news proves that we cannot wait. The clock is ticking - as things stand, the only safe and legal way for refugees in Europe to reunite with family in the UK will be wiped out at the end of the year unless a new deal is negotiated.

Child refugees and separated families are already extremely worried they may not be able to reunite. If guarantees are not secured soon, well before the end of the transition period in December, then panic could spread, and people smugglers will exploit uncertainty.

The government says that no one should risk their lives by making these dangerous crossings, but if children and separated families cannot access family reunion, they are going to be left with no choice. We call on you to make negotiating a replacement for refugee family reunion a priority at the next round of negotiations (17th-21st August 2020).