Councils face £35m shortfall in child refugee care costs

15 Nov 07
A group of local authorities has accused the government of underfunding the costs of looking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children by £35m.

16 November 2007

A group of local authorities has accused the government of underfunding the costs of looking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children by £35m.

The nine councils are warning of significant pressures on their council tax because the Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families are not underwriting the responsibilities they place on councils to care for these children.

The councils are: Birmingham; Manchester; Solihull; Kent, Oxfordshire and West Sussex counties; and the London boroughs of Hillingdon, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham.

According to the group, most of which have large ports or airports within their boundaries, they have been deprived of a total of £16m by the Home Office and £19m by DCSF in 2006/07 and 2007/08.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said: 'This issue affects numerous councils and, whilst stressing our commitment to caring properly for these young people, the government should pay us the money we are owed.'

The councils say the problem stems from contradictory government policy. When an asylum application is rejected government grant is stopped, but there are often delays in removing failed applicants and authorities are obliged to provide support.

Hillingdon, which includes Heathrow airport, claims its shortfall is £12m. David Simmonds, Cabinet member for children's services, said: 'We have to pay to support vulnerable children and young people when this should be dealt with and funded as a national issue.'

PFnov2007

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top