Would this make any difference if it was a child

If someone British was held hostage in another country and the captures demanded a certain amount off the government, which obviously our government doesn’t do. If the person was a child would it make a difference

Probably not. The laying of ransoms just makes the problem grow.

The U.K. has a very effective diplomatic Corps that can facilitate most things.

Failing that.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-couple-dramatic-sas-rescue-20959678

To be honest theres little to no evidence that the policy of not paying ransoms has helped at all (as opposed to de facto murdering British citizens). The europeans pay the ransoms and get their people back.. we get their heads chopped off on youtube.
Equally the foreign office is not particularly effective in such issues. Mainly because its not one of foreign policy per-se (at least depending on whom did the abducting).

At any rate, its a dreadful shame on Britain that we allow fellow citizens to be murdered because the government is too cheap to help them (or even attempt a rescue, your example not withstanding). The Americans might not pay but they regularly send in a seal team to liquidate the badies .. we sit back and do very little. Back in the day we'd invade and occupy the country for such a slight.

There’s significant evidence.

Italy paid a ransom in Afghanistan for its citizens. Guess the nationality of foreigners who were at the highest risk of kidnapping. You’ve guessed it.

One of the driving factors for Somali piracy is? You’ve guessed it. Some shipping companies have paid the ransoms.

There’s a reason why Russian ships don’t get targeted that much. Not only do the Russians pay ransoms, they also clamp down hard on the pirates. ISTR they captured several pirates about 2009, held an investigation into their actions and decided not to prosecute. Those pirates were released..........into a life raft, in the Indian Ocean, away from shipping lanes.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Moscow_University_hijacking

There’s a reason why Russian ships don’t get targeted that much. Not only do the Russians pay ransoms, they also clamp down hard on the pirates. ISTR they captured several pirates about 2009, held an investigation into their actions and decided not to prosecute. Those pirates were released..........into a life raft, in the Indian Ocean, away from shipping lanes.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Moscow_University_hijacking

To be honest theres little to no evidence that the policy of not paying ransoms has helped at all (as opposed to de facto murdering British citizens). The europeans pay the ransoms and get their people back.. we get their heads chopped off on youtube.
Equally the foreign office is not particularly effective in such issues. Mainly because its not one of foreign policy per-se (at least depending on whom did the abducting).

At any rate, its a dreadful shame on Britain that we allow fellow citizens to be murdered because the government is too cheap to help them (or even attempt a rescue, your example not withstanding). The Americans might not pay but they regularly send in a seal team to liquidate the badies .. we sit back and do very little. Back in the day we'd invade and occupy the country for such a slight.

I do agree we need to be taking a hard stance on this issue, a good example is the ongoing situation with Nazanin Ratcliffe, clearly a political prisoner, our government let her suffer in prison in Iran.