The Dubs Amendment is at the centre of a political storm after it was announced the UK would only accept 350 vulnerable unaccompanied child refugees.
The Government has been heavily criticised by Lords and MPs in Parliament after it quietly announced the cap of lone child refugees being brought to Britain over fears it is encouraging people traffickers.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is it?
Named after its architect, Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, the amendment is set out in Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.
What does it say?
That the Government should “make arrangements to relocate to the United Kingdom and support a specified number of unaccompanied refugee children from other countries in Europe”.
What has happened this week?
On Wednesday, it was revealed that 350 youngsters will arrive in the UK under the scheme. Until the announcement, no official figure for the route had been published.
Why is that controversial?
Although the Government had not committed to any specific number, campaigners and opposition figures hit out at the figure after previously calling for 3,000 children to be given sanctuary.
What are critics saying?
Lord Dubs warned it would be “shameful” to close down the programme, while the Archbishop of Canterbury said he was “saddened and shocked”.
And the Government?
The Home Office insists it is not giving up on vulnerable children, and youngsters will continue to arrive from around the world through other resettlement schemes and the asylum system.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd also defended the move, citing concerns that the scheme could be exploited by people traffickers.
How did they get to the 350 figure?
Ministers say they arrived at the number after consulting local authorities on their capacity to care for and support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
What happens next?
Around 200 minors have been brought to the UK under the scheme so far, and it will close once a further 150 arrive. The process is expected to be completed this year.
