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| Government votes down plan to rescue more child refugees after axing of Dubs amendment | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A cross-party bid to force Theresa May to accept more child refugees from Europe has failed, despite a Conservative revolt. | A cross-party bid to force Theresa May to accept more child refugees from Europe has failed, despite a Conservative revolt. |
| The Government defeated an attempt to force ministers to take up offers from local councils eager to accept more unaccompanied children fleeing conflicts. | The Government defeated an attempt to force ministers to take up offers from local councils eager to accept more unaccompanied children fleeing conflicts. |
| There was uproar last month when the Home Office suddenly axed the Dubs scheme to bring in 3,000 refugees from Europe – when just 350 have arrived. | There was uproar last month when the Home Office suddenly axed the Dubs scheme to bring in 3,000 refugees from Europe – when just 350 have arrived. |
| Ministers have been accused of ignoring evidence that town halls are willing to make thousands more places available, with the right funding. | Ministers have been accused of ignoring evidence that town halls are willing to make thousands more places available, with the right funding. |
| But the bid – led by Conservative backbencher Heidi Allen – to force ministers to properly audit local council capacity was lost by 287 votes to 267, a Government majority of 20. | But the bid – led by Conservative backbencher Heidi Allen – to force ministers to properly audit local council capacity was lost by 287 votes to 267, a Government majority of 20. |
| Ms Allen had urged ministers to think again, saying: “This debate for many of us is about Dubs – whether we can bring that back to life.” | Ms Allen had urged ministers to think again, saying: “This debate for many of us is about Dubs – whether we can bring that back to life.” |
| Warning the refugee council was far from over, she added: “I care that we take our fair share to help our neighbours in Europe.” | Warning the refugee council was far from over, she added: “I care that we take our fair share to help our neighbours in Europe.” |
| She was echoed by Yvette Cooper, the former Labour leadership contender, who said the end of the Dubs scheme was already proving a boon to traffickers, who were saying “there is money to be made”. | She was echoed by Yvette Cooper, the former Labour leadership contender, who said the end of the Dubs scheme was already proving a boon to traffickers, who were saying “there is money to be made”. |
| Local authorities would be able to provide “thousands more places potentially if they were better funded”, she argued. | Local authorities would be able to provide “thousands more places potentially if they were better funded”, she argued. |
| But Ms Allen’s hopes that up to 30 Conservative backbenchers would rebel were dashed, after ministers pledged that auditing of councils’ capacity would improve. | But Ms Allen’s hopes that up to 30 Conservative backbenchers would rebel were dashed, after ministers pledged that auditing of councils’ capacity would improve. |
| Just two Tories joined her in backing an amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill, to place a statutory duty on councils to report back to ministers at least once a year. | Just two Tories joined her in backing an amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill, to place a statutory duty on councils to report back to ministers at least once a year. |
| They were former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Tania Mathias. Six Conservatives who had signed the amendment failed to vote for it. | They were former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Tania Mathias. Six Conservatives who had signed the amendment failed to vote for it. |
| Speaking afterwards, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “This vote shames Britain. | Speaking afterwards, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “This vote shames Britain. |
| “The Government continues to defend the indefensible by closing Dubs against opposition from a significant number of MPs, including those on its own benches, and from the public. | “The Government continues to defend the indefensible by closing Dubs against opposition from a significant number of MPs, including those on its own benches, and from the public. |
| “The Tory Government’s decision to turn its back on these children despite local authorities saying they want to help is utterly heartless and heartbreaking.” | “The Tory Government’s decision to turn its back on these children despite local authorities saying they want to help is utterly heartless and heartbreaking.” |
| Faith leaders and actor Toby Jones had joined a demonstration outside the Commons to increase pressure on the Government. | Faith leaders and actor Toby Jones had joined a demonstration outside the Commons to increase pressure on the Government. |
| Announcing the refugee cap at 350 children – under the scheme inspired by Alf Dubs, a former refugee himself – the Home Office insisted there were no more spaces were available to accommodate them. | Announcing the refugee cap at 350 children – under the scheme inspired by Alf Dubs, a former refugee himself – the Home Office insisted there were no more spaces were available to accommodate them. |
| But freedom of information responses from dozens of UK councils found at least 368 more spaces available and potentially many more. | But freedom of information responses from dozens of UK councils found at least 368 more spaces available and potentially many more. |
| In the Commons yesterday, Home Office minister Robert Goodwill sparked anger when he told MPs he did “recognise the figures”. | In the Commons yesterday, Home Office minister Robert Goodwill sparked anger when he told MPs he did “recognise the figures”. |
| “I suspect that some of the methodology behind them will not bear too much scrutiny,” Mr Goodwill claimed. | “I suspect that some of the methodology behind them will not bear too much scrutiny,” Mr Goodwill claimed. |