The refugee crisis is the biggest challenge facing Europe since the Second World War. Millions of people have fled the conflicts in the Middle East and many are now in Europe. Dealing with this crisis will require international coordination, with all European countries playing their part.
It is right that the UK has agreed to take 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next few years. I also welcome the recent decision to allow 3,000 unaccompanied children into this country. There is no doubt that these vulnerable children would have been in terrible danger if they continued to travel unaccompanied across Europe without shelter or protection.
The international community needs to do more to solve this crisis. This will require agreement across all European countries about how best to support the millions of people who have fled from the Middle East into Europe. We must redouble our efforts to solve the Syrian conflict, which is the major cause of this mass movement of people.
The UK has a long history of supporting the most vulnerable people in the world. That is why I welcome the steps we have already taken to support refugees as part of our ongoing humanitarian commitments. More work is required, however, to find a long-term and sustainable solution to this crisis and I will continue to hold the Government to account on this issue.