Brighton & Hove City Council has called for a safeguarding review after dozens of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) went missing from a hotel in the city.
The move has increased pressure on the Government over the use of hotel accommodation for unaccompanied minors.
Since July 2021, when the Home Office began using a hotel in Brighton for children entering the National Transfer Scheme, 137 unaccompanied children have been reported missing, with 60 located and 77 still under investigation.
The council has now written to immigration minister Robert Jenrick to reiterate its concerns over the use of the hotel, which has housed a total of 1,600 children.
It called for the Home Office to ‘immediately end the unacceptable use' of hotel accommodation for UASC.
A coalition of 100 charities has also signed a letter calling for an end to the use of hotel accommodation for UASC, for them to be placed in local authority social care and an inquiry to take place.
Mr Jenrick said while there were ‘robust safeguarding procedures in place’ the Government accepted that some children did go missing.
He said an inquiry had not been ruled out, adding: ‘The home secretary is taking advice from officials and considering the appropriate next steps.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
