‘No running commentary’ on sick Gazan kids brought to UK says Downing Street

The Government has said it will not “get into a running commentary” on the number of sick and injured children being brought to the UK from Gaza following reports that up to 50 will arrive within weeks.

Asked about reports by the BBC that the first group of critically ill and injured Gazan children – between 30 and 50 patients –  will be arriving”in the coming weeks”, No.10 said it is a “sensitive and complex process”.

The Number 10 spokesperson said: “We’re not going to get into a running commentary on numbers or the exact process.

“Exact numbers are going to depend on clinical need and various factors.”

He added: “We continue to take all those plans to evacuate more children from Gaza, who require urgent medical care in the UK and specialist treatment.

“Obviously, it’s sensitive and it’s a complex process, and the wellbeing of patients and their families is our top priority.

“There’s a cross-government task force working together to deliver this new scheme and we’ll obviously provide an update as and when we’ve got them.”

The spokesperson continued: “There’s a task force up and running to deliver this (as soon) as possible.

It is understood that the children will come from hospital with family members via a third country, where biometric data will be collected, and that some may enter the asylum system after completing treatment.

“We obviously continue to provide significant support in the region as well, for evacuations within the region, to support people desperately in need of care,” said a Downing Street spokesperson on Monday.

“And that is on top of the significant aid that we’re providing to the region to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.”

He said the Government will give updates on the plans “as and when we can”, but said: “We are working at pace to deliver it.”

More than 50,000 children are estimated to have been killed or injured in Gaza since October 2023, according to Unicef.