Drive to keep UK open to child migrants

BRITISH celebrities including actress Keira Knightley, rock band Coldplay and former England striker Gary Lineker urged the UK government yesterday to save a programme to take in vulnerable child migrants from Europe.

Under a change to immigration law known as the Dubs Amendment, which was passed by parliament last year, Britain agreed to accept vulnerable child migrants who had arrived in the European Union before March 20 last year.

But last week, the government announced plans to scrap the scheme, which it said encouraged human trafficking.

The decision sparked criticism from aid agencies, opposition lawmakers and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In an open letter to British Prime Minister Theresa May, more than 200 actors, musicians, authors and broadcasters said the government’s decision was shameful and embarrassing.

“The country we know and love is bigger than this,” they wrote in a letter backed by charities Citizens UK and Help Refugees.

“The government must agree to extend the programme and reconsult with councils immediately.”

The stars said it was completely unacceptable to close the door to children after just 350 had been accepted.

Others who signed the letter included actors Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, musician Lily Allen, artist Anish Kapoor and writer Sarah Waters.

“The outpouring of support for the continuation of the Dubs scheme demonstrates that its closure is at odds with the British values that make this country great,” Help Refugees co-founder Josie Naughton said.