To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the needs and rights of refugee and asylum-seeking children, as set out in Article 22 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, are being met in the United Kingdom.

In line with its international obligations, the UK grants protection to those who need it. Our domestic law provisions apply to children from overseas when they are in the UK. These, and our own policies, ensure that they receive the same protection and access to services as any other child permanently or temporarily deprived of his or her family environment for whatever reason, as set out in Article 22 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. When it is in the best interests of the child concerned, the UK endeavours to trace the families of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. The UK would comply, where appropriate, with any request from the United Nations, or from an organization affiliated to the United Nations, on these matters.