We are devastated to hear the news that a 16 year old boy has died in the English Channel today. This is an utterly tragic and unnecessary loss of a child’s life. We are deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts are with the child’s family and loved ones.

The Home Secretary’s comments fail to recognise the UK has a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to protect people fleeing war and persecution. Early reports indicate that the child was from Sudan - a country with significant risks.

He had a legal right to claim asylum in the UK - he should not have lost his life trying to do this. Tough talk will do nothing to stop desperate people, including children, risking their lives to find safety here.

If this Government is serious about saving lives, reducing the number of people taking risks and stopping criminal traffickers, then urgent action must be taken to adopt more safe and legal routes for people to seek refuge in the UK.

It must restart its resettlement programme immediately, which has supported thousands of refugees to make a new life in the UK.

Our Head of Resettlement, Louise Calvey, in the @Independent - “He had a legal right to claim asylum in the UK. It is utterly tragic that he lost his life trying to do this." https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/channel-crossings-boy-death-drown-sangatte-beach-france-a9677471.html