I'm tabling a motion in Parliament because we've all conveniently forgotten about the refugees in Calais

MPs across all parties have been bitterly disappointed by both the Government’s initial measly quota of 480 unaccompanied children and their decision this year to close the Dubs scheme after allocating under half of those places

Refugees are living in makeshift camps as winter approaches

Images of families and children in makeshift refugee camps around Calais and Dunkirk have disappeared from the media, but the refugee crisis remains unabated and, for those continuing to search for a more hopeful future, the situation is just as grim.

That is why tomorrow, I have co-sponsored a debate in Parliament to remind those with the power to change people’s lives that this suffering continues and they have the tools to end it.

Last week marked one year since the demolition of what came to be known as the Jungle camp in Calais. Although the timing of the decision taken by the French authorities was highly questionable, the spirit behind this demolition was right – no one should live in those sorts of conditions.

I visited these camps on more than one occasion, spending time with families who felt that this location was their only option and the charities working tirelessly to provide support and advice to them. I met lots of children who were without adult guardians. For some their parents had paid traffickers to get them to Europe, to safety; for others they had lost their parents to conflict or become separated while fleeing.

The argument goes (from those who seem intent on turning Britain into an insular and mean country) that these people have reached European shores, they are safe, so why do they seem so intent on coming to Britain? This desire is not the same for every person. Of those I spoke to, some wanted to come here because they could speak English; for others they had friends of family members who could help them settle in and restart their lives; and for some it was the recognition that Britain has always welcomed those whose own homes had become too dangerous. All of these reasons are legitimate, but for those with family already in the UK they have a legal right to be here.

In fact, out of the demolition the Government conceded to transferring 750 children to Britain, of which 550 were reunited with family here. These transfers should never have been a one-off. Rough estimates suggest that around 1,000 refugees are now in Calais and surrounding camps including an estimated 200 unaccompanied children. These people are not only vulnerable to the elements – using trees as shelter, they are also vulnerable to evil traffickers and others who would do them harm. For children, no place could be more dangerous.

Parliamentary colleagues from all parties banded together to secure a commitment from the Government to accept unaccompanied refugee children who had made it to Europe after treacherous journeys from flashpoints elsewhere in the world. This became known as the Dubs scheme, and we who fought for it, both in and outside Parliament, expected that the Government would offer sanctuary to thousands of children. We were bitterly disappointed by both the Government’s initial measly quota of 480 unaccompanied children and their subsequent decision this year to close the scheme after allocating under half of those places.

And now, with Brexit negotiations under way and family reunification rules on the table, we must ensure that vulnerable children continue to have access to safe and legal routes to come to the UK. There is no shame in reversing a bad decision, and that is what I will be asking ministers to do tomorrow by reopening the Dubs scheme.

The weather is turning once again and for many it will be the most bitter winter of their lives. It doesn’t need to be this way. Britain must not turn a blind eye and betray our history as a compassionate and caring country.

Tim Farron is Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale