Shaun Webster
Change self advocacy group
It is very wrong what the government is doing. It is the government’s fault that these parents don’t have the money to look after their children – they are setting up the situation in the first place. In my opinion it goes against human rights and the European Parliament should get involved.
Jaya Kathrecha
Carer
This is just being cruel to people who have done nothing wrong. Children will suffer – there is already a shortage of suitable places for children who can’t live with their families, and this is adding to the problem. Why does the government let people come here, and then take away their benefits? It’s a human rights issue.
Len Smith
Gypsy activist
No, this tactic wrings the emotions in a dreadful way. There just has to be a more humane approach. Obviously, no one wants to see a child living in destitution, and it is right that their plight has to be looked at. But using children as levers to pressurise parents to depart seems to me to have a whiff of blackmail about it.
Karen Shook
Disability equality adviser
It is disgraceful. Why can’t help be given to families to enable them to cope, rather than applying a care order? There will always be situations where in the child’s best interest where action needs to be taken, but for this to be policy will only make matters worse for those struggling with asylum.
